Girls’ Track and Field Breaks Seven School Records in Memorable Season

By Caitlin O’Brien P’26

From the very start of the season, Lawrence Academy’s 20232024 girls’ track and field team approached each practice with a competitors’ mindset that translated seamlessly on meet days. Knowing how competitive and deep the ISL is in track and field, their goal was always to compete, improve, and be successful at the New England Championships. Head Coach Nate Gartner told the team at the beginning of the season that they could “do something special,” he remembers, “and they stepped up and answered the challenge. They were patient, supportive, and pushed each other from the beginning, building a solid foundation for the future of the program.”

“For them, a personal record was the standard, a school record was the intention, and team success was the ultimate goal,” adds Coach Bobby Gilmore. “With a wonderful team culture established by our veterans and reinforced by hungry up-andcomers, the LA girls’ track program has set an incredible standard of achievement, camaraderie, and joy for future teams to aspire to.”

Out of the 17 track and field events the girls participated in this season, the team broke seven school records: high jump (Kaelyn Powell ’26), 100-meter hurdles (also Powell), triple jump (Nicki Key ’24), 400-meter dash (Nuala Gibbs ’26), 3,000-meter run (Meri Rainford ’25), 4x100-meter relay (Haley Augusta ’26, Gibbs, Powell, Key), and 4x400-meter relay (Harper Donnel ’27, Kate Tarr ’27, Key, Powell). Regarding the record-breaking season, Haley shares, “I couldn’t be happier to have my name on the wall with these girls. Success is amazing, but it’s ten times better with your friends.”

“The team did an incredible job making a name for themselves with a very small roster,” notes Coach Nicole Murphy. “They have a group of leaders that naturally do the right and hard thing for training and competition.”

As the 2024 track and field season came to a close, it became clear that the girls’ team had much to be proud of. Not only did the athletes break more records than ever before and place third (out of 35 teams) at the New England Championships, but leadership and true friendships developed on and off the track. With nearly 90 percent of the team returning this year, the athletes, coaches, and LA community are all looking forward to the 2025 season.