MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - The Mercyhurst women's track and field team opened up their 2026 season outdoor season, competing at the Marty Pushkin Invitational. Five top-10 finishes, including a first place finish from Isabella Hagerman highlights the day for the Lakers.
 
Freshmen Isabella Hagerman and Kennedy Butcher competed in the pole vault event. Hagerman finished first overall, with a jump of 3.00 meters. Butcher had a top-five finish, placing fifth overall with a jump of 2.55 meters.
 
In the shot put, freshman Nickayla Petro competed for the Lakers. She had a top-10 finish, placing eighth overall with a throw of 10.13 meters.
 
Junior Reagan Pettis and senior Bella Homorody competed in the 1500 meters steeple. They both had top-10 finishes, with Pettis placing seventh overall with a time of 6:20.52 and Homorody placing 10^th overall with a time of 6:29.69.
 
Freshman Jordyn Barzano competed for the Lakers in the javelin throw. She posted a throw of 24.54 meters, placing 11^th overall.
 
Freshmen Emma Palmieri and Emma Valerio competed in the 100 meters. Palmieri placed 11^th overall, with a time of 13.24. Valerio placed 20^th overall, with a time of 13.76. The pair competed in the 200 meters as well. Palmieri placed 15^th overall, with a time of 26.98. Valerio placed 34^th overall, with a time of 28.80.
 
In the 400 meters, Palmieri, Valerio and junior Kathleen Tarlo ran for the Lakers. Palmieri had a top-10 finish, placing 10^th overall with a time of 1:01.19. Valerio placed 20^th overall, with a time of 1:06.35. Tarlo set a personal record with a time of 1:09.82, placing 26^th overall.
 
Butcher competed in the 400 meters hurdles for Mercyhurst. She placed 12^th overall, with a time of 1:18.54. She also competed in the 100 meters hurdle, placing 18^th overall with a time of 18.91.
 
The Lakers had five participants in the 800 meters. Junior Kaila Szczygielski placed 26^th overall with a time of 2:34.00. Junior Molly McIntyre had a time of 2:39.23, placing 31^st overall. Sophomore Caitlin Dugan placed 38^th overall, with a time of 2:45.09. Tarlo placed one behind her teammate, with a time a 2:45.42. Freshman Rowan Milliron placed 40^th overall, with a time of 2:45.70.
 
In the 1500 meters, McIntyre, Milliron and Szczygielski ran for the Lakers. McIntyre placed 35^th overall, with a time of 5:24.47. Milliron placed 39^th overall, with a time of 5:26.82. Szczygielski had a time of 5:34.44, placing 42^nd overall.
 
The Lakers continue their outdoor season when they go onto to compete at the two-day Carnegie Mellon Invitational in Pittsburgh, Pa. The invite starts Friday, March 27 and ends Saturday, March 28.