LEXINGTON, KY – Junior Tayla Gunton represented the Iona University women's outdoor track team at the NCAA East First Rounds on Saturday at the University of Kentucky Track and Field Complex. Competing in the 5,000-meter semifinal, Gunton concluded the Gaels' season with another strong performance against the nation's top distance runners.
 

5,000-METER SEMIFINAL

Gunton placed 20th overall in the 5,000-meter semifinal, crossing the finish line in 16:02.62. Running in the opening heat, she finished ninth among the competitors and capped her 2025-26 campaign with the second-fastest 5,000-meter performance of her Iona career.
 
Florida's Hilda Olemonoi won the opening heat in 15:27.89, while Alabama's Doris Lemngole recorded the fastest overall time of the semifinal round at 15:08.45 in the second heat.
 
Gunton's mark of 16:02.62 trails only her NCAA-qualifying performance of 15:49.95 at the Penn Relays earlier this season. The time also ranks as the second-fastest 5,000-meter performance in program history, with former All-American Kate Avery remaining the lone Gael to have run faster.
 

IONA PERFORMERS

5000: Tayla Gunton, 20th, 16:02.62.
 

UP NEXT

The event completes action for the Iona University men's and women's cross country and track and field programs and Iona Athletics for the 2025-26 campaign.
 

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