The Amherst women’s track and field team competed this weekend in the Cupid Challenge at Tufts’ Gantcher Center. The Mammoths, competing only for individual accomplishments as no team score totals were counted, put forth a strong showing. Only 25 members of the 45 person roster, however competed in the event, due to a combination of premeditated rest and illness. Amherst did not field competitors in the 5000 meter run, the 4x200-meter relay, or the 4x80-meter relay. Amherst also did not participate in the weight throw or shot put.

Notably for Amherst, first-year distance runner Sarah Gayer placed second in the one mile run, finishing just nine seconds over the five-minute barrier. Junior Christina Scartelli would finish in the middle of the 26-woman event just seconds later.

Amherst, building on their senior leadership, demonstrated their depth in the 800-meter run, in which seniors Leonie Rauls and Danielle Griffin finished second and third respectively. Fellow senior Adele Loomis also crossed the finish line in 13th place.

Lauren Lamb ’21 and Lizzie Kobelski ’20 finished fourth and fifth, respectively in the 60-meter hurdles.

Amherst still has much to improve on in the flat jumping events, as the Mammoths only successfully completed half of their attempts across the triple and long jumps, fouling five out of nine attempts. Sophomore Katie Siegel, however, took home third in the high jump event, managing over two and a half meters.

The Cupid Challenge, however, remains an important launch point for the coming spring season, along with giving competitors an opportunity to qualify for the Indoor Nationals. These events also proove that first-years have sunk their teeth into college competition and become acquainted with its quirks. Although the team will compete through March in the indoor season, the momentum for the Mammoths only continues to improve.

In the week ahead, Amherst sets it eyes on the next meet in the greater-Boston area, as the team will travel to Boston University to compete in the two-day Valentine Challenge next weekend as well as the Gordon Kelly Invitational at MIT.