For a new collegiate runner, no one knew what to expect from a rookie heralding from a small Catholic high school in California. But Samantha Silva appeared to be more than comfortable at center-stage as she claimed first place in the Iona College Meet of Champions over the weekend.

Silva mustered up an extra burst of energy to close the race with a stellar 22:35.41 and lead her teammates to victory.

The Crimson women outran Ivy rivals Penn and Yale at the famed New York City cross country course, Van Cortlandt Park, and bested nationally ranked No. 21 Wisconsin.

Silva led the effort by winning her first ever race over 6 kilometers at the hilly venue. Her 18-second victory helped the team to its best finish at the meet in the 15-year history of the event.

Singularly, Silva had a remarkable race. Yet, she is quick to credit the solidarity of the team as her motivation for accomplishing this feat.

“Running with the team is awesome,” says Silva. “It makes everything so much easier, and I look forward to going to practice every day with them. It never feels like work at all, it’s just fun.”

As Silva dominated the competition, a trio of Harvard sophomores finished closely behind. Jeanne Mack placed third, while Kailyn Kuzmuk and Nicole Cochran were fifth and sixth, respectively.

Such strong performances from the first and second-year runners bode well for Crimson coach Jason Saretsky’s squad.

Whereas many freshman athletes experience difficulties transitioning into collegiate sports, Silva displays a confidence in her running that has not gone unnoticed by her teammates.

“She is very independent, and she knows what she’s doing,” junior captain Jamie Olson says. “She’s adjusting well with school and a new environment, and she just has an awesome attitude toward the world.”

“She’s confident in her self,” echoes junior teammate Claire Richardson, “and it shows in her race that she’s confident and doing well.”

Though extremely focused and determined on winning her races, Silva is described as being “lighthearted” and “having a lot of spirit.” “I’ve never seen her downtrodden,” Olson adds.

Silva readily concedes that the most significant factor in her successful race was the training she received from her young head coach.

“It’s really easy to confide in [Saretsky], and he works with you one on one,” Silva says. “I trust him to give me the right training that I need.”

Saretsky is extremely pleased with Silva’s performance on Saturday, noting that the rookie’s hard work has paid off.

“I knew she was talented, but she exceeded my expectations,” he says. “She never holds back in workouts, and she always wants to push herself harder.”

Saretsky, however, concedes that there will be many challenges to overcome.

“There’s still a lot of transitioning to be done and a lot of work ahead to get to the level that Sammy wants to be, because she has such high goals,” he says.

And, indeed, Silva is expected to reach and surpass many of the goals that she will set for herself. The Harvard women will compete again on October 2 against rival Yale at Franklin Park in Boston.

When asked what enabled her to give it her all towards the end of the race on Saturday, Silva answered with a simple yet heartfelt response that reflects her passion for cross country and her dedication towards her team.

“Before the race, I think of all the training I’ve put it in, and I feel that I owe it to myself and my team to put my hardest work in,” Silva says.

And with a work ethic like this, Silva promises to have many stellar performances to complement her first showing.