University of Maryland, Baltimore County

2017:  Competed in all five events for UMBC, scored in four and led the team across the line in the Princeton Invitational.

2016: Saw action in five of six meets… Placed in UMBC’s top five on four occasions, including a season-best third at the Paul Short Invitational… Recorded a mark of 22:07 at that meet in Bethlehem, Pa. … The Retrievers’ No. 4 runner at America East Championships. 

2015: Ran in three races during her rookie campaign... Started the season at the Mount 5k Duals, where she turned in a time of 21:26... Followed that up at the Wolfie Invitational, crossing the tape in a time of 22:09... Finished her year at the Gettysburg Invitational, finished as the third Retriever across the tape in 24:35.

Background: A highly decorated runner out of Reservoir High School… Helped lead the Gators to a state championship in cross country in 2013… That same year, she earned the Coaches’ Award in both cross country and indoor track and field… Was named team MVP in outdoor track and Most Valuable Runner in 2014 for cross country… Earned Team MVP this past spring for outdoor track and field… Her best performance came at the MPSSAA 3A State Cross Country Championships, where she earned a fourth place finish… A member of the Spanish National Honors Society and honor roll athlete in high school.

Personal: Daughter of Michael and Amelia Ponton… Has one younger brother, Daniel, and an older sister, Karla… Majoring in biology with a career ambition to be a physician’s assistant… Lists her favorite food as orange chicken and favorite book as The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.