Posted: Apr 28, 2020
Thank You, Seniors: Wellesley College Track & Field Class of 2020
On March 13, a difficult decision was made to cancel the 2020 spring seasons for six Wellesley Athletics programs. Along with the cancellation of contests, practices and team events, the seniors in the Class of 2020 will miss the opportunity to celebrate Senior Day with their family, friends, coaches and teammates. Today we recognize Wellesley track & field and we hope you will join us in celebrating the spring student-athletes in the Class of 2020. Thank you, Seniors.
Head Coach Phil Jennings on the Class of 2020:
Each year, in the short, 10-year history of our varsity track & field program, the camaraderie, commitment and cohesiveness of our team has taken a step forward. However, this year, in large part to this group of nine seniors, our team took a leap forward in becoming the true family for which we strive.
These seniors' dynamic personalities are as varied as academic interests, the states they hail from, and the countries in which they studied abroad. Through this blend of experiences and backgrounds they enthusiastically brought event groups and class years together with a unified work ethic and commitment to each other and the team. They welcomed first-years, picked up teammates that were down, put the team before themselves, and led by example.
While this season was cut short for all collegiate student athletes, it was cut shortest for spring sport athletes in their senior year. To Crystalina, Eva, Fiona, Keiko, Kiana, Jojo, Lauren, Liz, and Taylor, know that your efforts and commitment to this team live on in the teammates you inspired and the culture you have built. Thank you for everything you've done for Wellesley Track & Field and know that you will always be a part of the Wellesley Blue family!
These seniors' dynamic personalities are as varied as academic interests, the states they hail from, and the countries in which they studied abroad. Through this blend of experiences and backgrounds they enthusiastically brought event groups and class years together with a unified work ethic and commitment to each other and the team. They welcomed first-years, picked up teammates that were down, put the team before themselves, and led by example.
While this season was cut short for all collegiate student athletes, it was cut shortest for spring sport athletes in their senior year. To Crystalina, Eva, Fiona, Keiko, Kiana, Jojo, Lauren, Liz, and Taylor, know that your efforts and commitment to this team live on in the teammates you inspired and the culture you have built. Thank you for everything you've done for Wellesley Track & Field and know that you will always be a part of the Wellesley Blue family!
Lauren Dines '20
A native of Tenafly, N.J., Lauren is an Africana Studies major who joined the program during the second half of her first year. Lauren went on to represent the team in the 4x100 relay at the 2017 DIII New England Championships. Last season, she set collegiate-best marks in the indoor 400m (1:09.54) at the 2019 Wheaton Invitational and the 200m (28:34) at the 2019 Emory Invitational.
Crystalina Guo '20
A two-time NEWMAC Academic All-Conference qualifier, Crystalina will leave Wellesley with a degree in Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences and Economics. The Montgomery, N.J. native set career-best marks in the discus (34.00m) and the shot (10.82m) at the 2018 NEWMAC Championships and was enjoying one of her most successful indoor seasons to date in 2019, as she finished in the top-ten seven times, including a 1st place weight throw finish at the Lyons Invitational.
Fiona Harrigian '20
Also a member of the Blue cross country team, Fiona is a Biological Sciences major from San Marino, Calif. She set a collegiate PR in the indoor mile (5:45.45) during her senior season and had four top-ten finishes in the event, including a 1st place finish at the Lyons Invitational. In all, she set collegiate PRs in six events in her career, including three during the 2018 outdoor season, where she posted her top times in the 1500m (5:18.74), 3000m (11:22.04), and 5000m (20:23.86).
Keiko Hilmo '20
A six-time NEWMAC Academic All-Conference performer in track and cross country, Keiko is a Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences and Korean Language and Culture major. The Saint Paul, Minn. native set indoor PRs in the mile (5:27.28) and the 3000m (10:52.69) during the first half of the 2019-20 season after closing out her top cross country season to date in the fall, where she earned NEWMAC All-Conference honors and set a 6k PR (22:54.7) at the NCAA Regional Championships.
Josephine Kim '20
Jojo competed for the Blue during her first year and senior seasons, most recently making six appearances during the indor season and recording four top-ten finishes and two PRs in the 55m (8.28) and the high jump (1.46m). As a first year, she finished eighth in the triple jump at the NEWMAC Championships. A native of Orange County, Calif., she will graduate with a degree in History.
Taylor Mahlandt '20
Taylor made an immediate impact on the Blue after joining the team during her sophomore year, earning All-Conference honors in cross country. She went on to earn a total of four Academic All-Conference awards in cross country and track. She set personal best marks in five track events in 2018, including the outdoor 1500m (5:006.97) and 5000m (18:10.28). The Ephrata, Pa. native will leave Wellesley with a degree in Political Science.
Eva Paradiso '20
An Environmental Studies and Geosciences major from Burlington, Vt., Eva earned NEWMAC Academic All-Conference accolades five times during her career. She post a collegiate best in the indoor mile (5:10.91) during her senior season, qualifying for the New England D3 Indoor Championships, where she went on to place 12th. Her success came on the heals of a career-best cross country season in the fall where she set PRs in both the 5k (18:48.9) and the 6k (23:24.9).
Kiana Stacy '20
Kiana set a PR in the javelin throw in her final competitive appearance for the Blue at the NEWMAC Championships at the end of the 2018 season, the same season she set her top mark in the weight throw (6.14m) at the Gordon Kelly Invitational. She did not compete during her junior and senior seasons but continued to work in practice and in the classroom, where she will graduate with a degree in Philosophy and Political Science.
Elizabeth Wegman '20
Elizabeth consistently improved during each of her three seasons with the Blue. Joining the team as a sophomore in 2017-18, she went on to earn five NEWMAC Academic All-Conference honors. The East Sandwich, Mass. native was enjoying a standout year on the track in 2019-20, where she set indoor PRs in the mile (5:20.00) and the 1000m (3:11.08) to earn a spot at the New England D3 Indoor Championships after posting PRs in both the 5k (19:12.8) and 6k (23:44.5) during the fall cross country season. She will graduate with a degree in Biological Sciences.
Wellesley Athletics strives for excellence at the conference, regional, and national levels, while providing opportunities for students to achieve their potential and learn the values of discipline, leadership, critical thinking, and responsibility to oneself and others.