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Despite losing to Harvard, the Bulldogs asserted dominance in key events, and earned eleven first place finishes.

Four weeks before Ivy League Heps, the Crimson and the Blue and White battled in the Cuyler Athletic Complex. Both the men and women fell to Harvard by scores of 87–62 and 75–70, respectively. 

“The meet against Harvard is the longest standing duel meet between two collegiate schools,” Sydney Kunkler ’24 said. “It’s fun to be part of such an established rivalry — it definitely spurs some good competition and performance.”

The highlight of the day was when Sophie Isom ’22, Aliya Boshnak ’23, Libby McMahon ’22 and Ava Thomas ’22 crossed the finish line to set a new school record in the 4×100 meter relay. With a time of 45.92 seconds, they smashed the 2006 record of 46.33 seconds.

Two-time All-American Kayley DeLay ’22 also placed first in the 1500 meters with a time of 4:23.65, placing her sixth on the all-time record board.

McMahon then came back for her second win of the day, the women’s 400 meters, to the tune of 54.70 seconds.

“It was an extremely exciting and rewarding race,” McMahon wrote to the News. “Perhaps the best part was breaking the record while beating Harvard’s 4×100 team. Hopefully we can carry this moment with us to Heps, and we can beat Harvard once again.”

In the 4×400 meter, Samantha Friborg ’23, Ella Mainwaring Foster ’24, Boshnak and Isom snatched the gold in 3:48.30 seconds, two seconds faster than Harvard’s A-team.

In the long jump, first year Dominique Romain ’25 took second place with 5.77. Kunkler came behind her in third with 5.50.

“I was really happy with my performance as it was a personal record of mine,” Romain wrote. “ I hadn’t been doing too well at the beginning of the season so it was nice to see some improvement! At Heps and for the rest of the season, my goals are just to continue improving and to continue supporting my teammates.”

Eileen Yang ’24 vaulted to a first place finish that afternoon with 3.68 meters under her belt.  

Rookie Violette Perry ’25 broke her personal records in both the discus throw and the javelin throw, which earned her the second spot in both competitions.

Women’s captain Emma Vasen ’22 placed second in the hammer throw with a distance of 53.76 meters.

The men earned six first place finishes.

The Bulldogs also took the first two spots in the shot put, as Matthew Appel ’24 and Andrew Rochon ’21 SOM ’22 threw distances of 18.11 meters and 15.60 meters, respectively. 

Jack Dunn ’22 threw the hammer a distance of 55.71 meters, which earned him a second place finish in the competition.

In the 4×400 meter relay, Cameron Wyman ’22, Christopher Brown ’24, Drake Prince ’24 and Thomas Cirrito ’24 placed first with a time of 3:19.64. Cirrito made a comeback in the last leg to earn Yale the top spot.

Robert Miranda ’22 also earned a first-place finish in the 1500 meters as he finished the race with a time of 3:47.70.

The men dominated the 800 meters as two Yalies — Prince and Cirrito — left Harvard’s Peter Diebold behind in third, placing first and second, respectively. Prince finished the race with a time of 1:51.62, and Cirrito with a time of 1:51.73.

In the 200 meter race, the first year James Grindle ’25 took the top spot with a time of 21.34 seconds.

The annual Yale-Harvard meet is a big preparation for the Outdoor Ivy League Heptagonals that will take place from May 7 to May 8 at Yale. 

“There is something special about being at home for the biggest meet of the year,” Vasen, the women’s captain, wrote. “It definitely sets us up for some huge performances and I really think we are going to surprise the league this season.”

Some of the Blue and White will be traveling South to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for the Crimson Tide Invitational, while others will head over to Charlottesville, Virginia, for the Virginia Challenge. Both competitions take place on April 22. 

A smaller group will stay home for the Mark Young Invitational, which will take place the next day.

Correction, April 17: A previous version of this story said Yale broke three school records — the men’s shot put, the men’s hammer throw, and the women’s 4×100 meter relay. Only the latter was broken.