BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Kutztown University women's track & field opened its 2024-25 indoor season on a strong note with a pair of event victories and two PSAC qualifying efforts at Saturday's Lehigh Fast Times Before Finals meet.
 
Delaney Beard (Sinking Spring, Pa./Governor Mifflin) won the triple jump and the Golden Bears posted the fastest 4x400-meter relay time, while Beard and Raechel Bonner (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) (200-meter dash) clinched their spots in the 2025 PSAC Indoor Championships.
 
Beard topped her closest competitor by more than a foot in the triple jump with a best jump of 11.51m (37'9.25"). The senior from Sinking Spring, Pa., won the event for the third time at an indoor meet since joining the Golden Bears last season after transferring from Clarion.
 
Kutztown's 4x400m relay team of Kiana Young (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg), Taniyah Lawler (Chester, Pa./Chester), Beth Schearer (Springfield, Pa./Springfield) and Bonner were fastest of six teams in 4:01.45, more than a second ahead of runner-up Lehigh.
 
Bonner, last year's bronze medalist in the 200m, showed why she'll be a contender for another medal in 2025 with a PSAC qualifying time of 26.26 on Saturday. The time ranked third of 32 competitors.
 
The Maroon and Gold also got top five finishes from Schearer in the 60m and Kacie Sienko (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) in the long jump. Schearer ran an 8.02 in prelims and backed it up with an 8.03 in the final to place fourth. Sienko achieved a top mark of 5.20m (17'0.75"). She was one of two Bears to exceed 17 feet along with sixth-place finisher Beard (5.18m/17'0").
 
Kutztown will return to action following winter break at the Alvernia Winter Invitational on Jan. 18, 2025.
 

---

LEHIGH FAST TIMES BEFORE FINALS
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 | Bethlehem, Pa. | Rauch Fieldhouse
 
KUTZTOWN RESULTS
 
Long Jump (26 competitors)
5. Kacie Sienko (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy), 5.20m (17'0.75")
6. Delaney Beard (Sinking Spring, Pa./Governor Mifflin), 5.18m (17'0")
11. Anna Giannotti (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Morris Catholic), 4.80m (15'9")
 
Shot Put (26 competitors)
15. Kennedy Bulger (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional), 9.73m (31'11.25")
19. Sofia Beard (York, Pa./Red Lion), 9.26m (30'4.75")
25. Scarlett Helmecki (Kennett Square, Pa./Sanford School (Del.)), 7.04m (23'1.25")
 
High Jump (10 competitors)
None
 
Triple Jump (15 competitors)
1. Delaney Beard (Sinking Spring, Pa./Governor Mifflin), 11.51m (37'9.25"), PSAC Qualifying
10. Anna Giannotti (Lake Hopatcong, N.J./Morris Catholic), 9.93m (32'7")
 
60m Hurdles Prelims (11 competitors)
None
 
60m Prelims (26 competitors)
5. Beth Schearer (Springfield, Pa./Springfield), 8.02q
 
60m Finals (8 competitors)
4. Beth Schearer (Springfield, Pa./Springfield), 8.03
 
1000m (4 competitors)
None
 
500m (5 competitors)
None
 
200m (32 competitors)
3. Raechel Bonner (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin), 26.26, PSAC Qualifying
11. Grace Tedesco (Ocean View, N.J./Ocean City), 28.48
26. Aziah Wilkins (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty), 30.33
 
4x800m Relay (4 teams)
None
 
4x400m Relay (6 teams)
1. Kutztown 'A' (K. Young, Lawler, Schearer, Bonner), 4:01.45