By Liam Reilly
@liampreilly852
The Springfield College men’s and women’s track teams had six athletes qualify for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. The five men’s runners – Mike Anderson, Collin Hansen, Luca Kabel, Parker Ruger and Seth Twarog – will all be making their debut. Meanwhile the solo women’s runner, Katherine DeFosse, will be competing in her second straight appearance.
Prior to the qualifiers being announced, both teams competed at the All-Atlantic Region Track and Field Conference Indoor Championships. The men’s team finished 17th overall while the women’s team placed 22nd.
In back-to-back meets for the Pride, two hurdlers broke school records. At the New England Division III Indoor Championships, Anderson won first in the men’s 60-meter hurdle race and registered a time of 8.02 seconds, breaking the program record. One week later, DeFosse broke the women’s 60-meter hurdles record with a time of 8.54, a record previously held by her.
DeFosse has been competing in hurdles since her sophomore year of high school. This was during the COVID-19 pandemic, where limited competition was allowed at the time. Her junior year was when DeFosse really got the chance to compete and fall in love with the event.
Since arriving at Springfield, DeFosse’s goal has been to always go out and get better. In her first year of indoor track and field, DeFosse broke the record. Carrying momentum into her sophomore year, DeFosse bettered her time once again. At the start of the 2025-2026 season, the junior reflected on her goals and needed a new challenge after already holding the school record and being an All-American.
Her newest objective was to break the record again, but to get a time of 8.5 seconds. After finishing her race at the AARTFC, DeFosse couldn’t believe she hit her goal.
“I knew I ran fast but I was in denial that it was that fast,” DeFosse said. “When I was finally able to see the time I was in shock, all the emotions you could possibly think of came over me. I had a very bad race the weekend before so running the 8.54 for a new school record and meet record was more than an accomplishment for me, but also a confidence booster and a moment I will never forget.”
DeFosse and the other runners that qualified for NCAA’s will compete on both Friday and Saturday. The championships are held in Birmingham, Alabama at the Birmingham Cross Plex. For DeFosse, her preparation will be the same as any other meet.
“I think this week it is very important that I am taking care of myself, sleeping enough, eating healthy and drinking lots of water,” DeFosse said. “This week has been filled with lots of positive self-talk and just trying to keep myself calm. I put a lot of pressure on myself and tend to get into my own head a lot, so I have been trying to stay busy to prevent myself from having free time to overthink.”
Photo Courtesy of Springfield College Athletics