Posted: Feb 22, 2026
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Suffolk women's indoor track & field team delivered strong performances across the board on Sunday at the USATF New England Indoor Track & Field Championship, hosted at Harvard's Gordon Indoor Track.
The Rams were led by a school record contribution from Hilma Ortega in the 60 hurdles.
RAMS RUNNERS
- Ortega led the way with a victory in the 60 hurdles, crossing the line first in 9.36 to earn an automatic qualifier to the New England Championships. Bailey Stoddard-Baughman followed in third with a time of 9.83, while Averie Denelle placed fifth in 10.27.
- In the 60 dash, JJ Conteh secured fourth place in 7.88. Ortega doubled back to place sixth in 8.11.
- The Rams had a strong presence in the 200, paced by Rhoni Johnson's seventh-place finish in 27.00. Kaylie Groom finished 13th in 28.17, followed by Stoddard-Baughman in 15th (28.29). Kelsie Dessaps(28.47) placed 17th, Olivia Coyne (28.98) 24th, and Aida Bellal (29.91) 32nd.
- Groom added a ninth-place finish in the 400, finishing the lap around the trap in 1:02.31,
- Katelyn Porter turned in a seventh place showing in the 800 in 2:20.85.
- Megan Dunn finished 35th in the mile in 5:40.08.
- Gina Cappello paced the long-distance field in the 3000, crossing 10th in 11:31.83. Bailey Ford finished just behind at 11th in 11:39.8
JUMPERS JIST
- Dessaps led Suffolk in the long jump with an 11th-place mark of 4.70 meters and Evelyn Lansing placed in 13th (4.66 meters), while Sasha Helfgott-Waters placed 21st (4.13 meters).
- Helfgott-Waters added a ninth-place finish in the triple jump with a leap of 9.00 meters.
- Denelle captured first place in the high jump, clearing 1.52 meters.
FIELDERS FACTS
- Hannah Laderoute heaved the weight toss 11.95 meters, good for fifth. Millan followed in seventh with a throw of 9.74 meters.
RAMS RECORDS
- Ortega set a new school record in the 60 hurdles with her time of 9.36 and added a personal record in the 60 dash (8.11).
- Denelle tied her personal best in the 60 hurdles (10.27).
- Laderoute recorded a personal best in the weight throw (11.95 meters).
- Dunn notched a personal record in the mile (5:40.08).
YOU'RE NEW HERE
- Cappello and Ford each made their collegiate debuts in the 3,000 meters.
- Stoddard-Baughman competed in the 200 meters for the first time.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk returns to action at the New England Division III Indoor Championships on March 1 at the Track at New Balance.