WEST CHESTER, Pa. — The Haverford College women's track & field team opened the two-day Bill Butler Invitational with strong performances in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and 5,000 meters on Friday night, earning 16 points to lead the meet heading into Saturday's events.

In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, sophomore Alice Sappenfield claimed first place with a personal-best time of 11:59.77, shaving over 11 seconds off her previous mark from last week's Ursinus Track & Field Festival (12:11.30). First-year Dalia Smid made an impressive steeplechase debut, placing third in 13:08.95.

The 5,000 meters saw four Fords in action, led by senior Krysta Nichols, who finished fourth in 19:29.84—a nearly 10-second PR. Fellow senior Julianna Watson followed in fifth with a breakthrough time of 19:39.68, smashing her previous best of 20:02.48. Junior Audrey Carter took sixth in 20:59.97, while sophomore Claire Parsons rounded out the group in seventh, also establishing a new personal best of 22:01.61.

The Bill Butler Invitational now resumes Saturday at 10 a.m. with the remainder of the Haverford squad set to compete at John A. Farrell Stadium.