Sophomore Dan Chenoweth wasted no time in locking up an NCAA qualifier with his first place finish in the 5000-meter run. Classmate Claire Richardson also qualified for NCAAs in the women’s 5000-meter event.

The meets may have been small, but the times posted by the Harvard track and field team this weekend made a big statement. The squad traveled to Princeton, N.J. Friday night for the Sam Howell Invitational before participating in the Penn Invitational in Philadeliphia on Saturday. The Crimson celebrated numerous accomplishments in both competitions, including two NCAA regional qualifiers, four ECAC qualifying marks, and one invitation to IC4As. Harvard athletes also notched six personal outdoor bests in meets that provided good preparation for the heart of the spring season.

“We’re just getting started with [the outdoor season], and I think people are just ready to race again,” sophomore Dan Chenoweth said.

Chenoweth and classmate Clare Richardson led the talented Crimson, finishing first and third in their respective 5000-meter races to earn NCAA bids. Junior Chas Gillespie finished 12 seconds behind Chenoweth with an IC4A qualifying time of 14:23.31, joining Richardson’s 16:50.23 as Friday’s personal bests. Despite Harvard’s strong showing in the distance events, Chenoweth insisted that the meets provided an opportunity to race in more low-key fashion.

“We were just going out with a couple of teammates and trying to run for time,” he said. “It was a different atmosphere than the indoor season, more relaxed.”

The low-pressure surroundings, it seems, inspired many of the Crimson to bring their best. Sophomore Jessica Fronk and seniors Flavia Merrit and Shannon Flahive all took first in their events—winning the javelin, 100 meters, and long jump—while freshman pole vaulter Nico Weiler and sophomore hammer thrower Eric Clayman claimed the top spots for men’s events.

Senior Dara Wilson posted a season-best 14.46 in the 100-meter hurdles as one of three Harvard competitors to finish second in an event. Sophomore Hilary May’s 800-meter performance of 2:12.86 not only marked a second-place effort, but also a new outdoor best for the sophomore. Classmate Thea Lee earned fourth in the event by dropping more than a second from her personal best with a 2:15.24. With so many quality showings early in the season, Crimson coach Jason Saretsky pointed to the effect of group mentality within the squad.

“We have good chemistry,” Saretsky said. “We have great confidence as a group. As athlete after athlete has strong performances it becomes contagious.”

Harvard runners and field athletes also appeared undaunted by the change in conditions brought on by the outdoor season. Not only must athletes contend with wind and other weather conditions, but the spring season also takes place primarily on the road.

“One of the biggest differences [between indoor and outdoor track] is the elements,” Saretsky said. “The second biggest factor is the fact that we’re on the road, without the comforts of being at home. It’s a different mindset, but the team responded well.”

Even Crimson competitors who did not log top finishes found themselves rewarded. Freshman Kailyn Kuzmuk and sophomore Jamie Olson finished fourth and fifth respectively in the 1500-meter—separated by only .38 seconds—while rookie Nicole Cochran took eighth in 4:39.15. All three times proved sufficient to qualify for ECACs, as was the time of the women’s 4x100-meter relay, which posted a second place finish in 48.30.

Although Saretsky appreciated the opportunity for individuals to post strong times in a relaxed environment, the head coach placed particular emphasis on the chance to become familiar with Penn’s track, which will host the Ivy league’s biggest race in May.

“There were some strong performances and I was really glad with the [effort],” Saretsky said. “The team really benefitted from being down at Penn when it wasn’t the Penn Relays, because it helped us to prepare for Heps.”

—Staff writer Max N. Brondfield can be reached at mbrondf@fas.harvard.edu.