Abrantes, Inacio Capture Top Honors at Battle For Boston

By Jim Fenton

BOSTON, Mass. -- Two Bridgewater State University sprinters recording victories for the women's indoor track & field team Sunday night at the Saucony Battle For Boston at Boston University.

Senior Kiara Abrantes (Somerset, Mass.) earned another first-place finish for the Bears, her seventh win of the 2025-26 season, this one in the 400-meter race.

Sophomore Grace Inacio (Taunton, Mass.) was also first in the 200, putting together a time that was just shy of the school record she shares with Abrantes.

Abrantes was first in a time of 55.57 seconds with Boston College senior Iris Bergman next in 55.97 seconds. She was just off her school record time of 55.49 set earlier this season at BU John Thomas Terrier Classic.

Abrantes has finished first in seven races this season, two each at the MASCAC Championships (200 and 400) and the Branwen Smith-King Invitational (60 and 200) and one at the Suffolk Relays and BU Mini Meet in addition to Sunday.

She will next compete this weekend at the Division III New England Championships at The Track at New Balance in Boston.

Inacio won the 200 in 24.89, which is close to the BSU mark of 24.69 that she and Abrantes both ran earlier this season.

Inacio was ahead of second-place finisher Angela Cenesca of Manchester Central, whose time was 25.69.

Earlier this season Inacio won the 60 at the Suffolk Relays and at the MASCAC Championships where she was second to Abrantes in the 200.

Inacio will also take part in the Division III New Englands.

The Bears had one competitor at the USATF New England Championship meet held earlier in the day at Harvard University.

Freshman Savana Malo (Milford, Mass.) took third place in the long jump with a leap of 16 feet, 11 and 1/4 inches (5.16m).

Malo trailed only Mollie Gribbin (unattached) with a jump of 17 feet, 2 and 1/4 inches and Western New England's Kayla Kyles (17 feet, 3/4 inches).