Former Newtown High School track record-setter Carly Swierbut kept up the pace at the collegiate level. In fact, not only did the 2019 NHS graduate continue her racing career at The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Penn., she also continued to set records — right from the start with a standard-setting time as a freshman.

Swierbut was a standout not only on the track but also in the classroom; she graduated this May, summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology (pre-med track). She will work as a medical scribe at St Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury and is applying for medical school so there is still a lot ahead for this former Nighthawk.

Swierbut’s Division I 4x400 relay team made it to the NCAA Regionals and finished 19th out of 24. She is part of the school’s indoor and outdoor 4x400 record-setting relay and set the freshman indoor 400 mark, which still stands.

She earned CSC Academic All-District honors and earned a spot on the CSC Academic All-America ballot. The 4x400 relay had quite a run. The quartet set the William & Mary record twice, most recently with a time of 3:35.97 at the Colonial Athletic Association Championship. Swierbut helped the Tribe capture its first-ever gold in the 4x400 relay at the ECAC Championships. She competed at the Outdoor NCAA East Preliminaries and captured All-CAA Indoor Track & Field honors after winning bronze with the 4x400 team at the CAA Championships.

Swierbut earned CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll distinction multiple times throughout her career. During her college career, Swierbut received the William & Mary Provost Award for academic excellence.

When Swierbut started track at Newtown High and played soccer for the Nighthawks she had no plans to compete in a sport in college but soon discovered she had natural talent and the drive to take running to the next level. While at NHS, Swierbut set multiple records and also won State Class LL and State Open event championships, as well as earning All New England recognition. The track standout thanks her coaches for getting her on the right track.

Her time at William & Mary was especially enjoyable and something Swierbut cherishes.

“It was great. I absolutely love the school — it’s an amazing place,” said Swierbut, adding that Coach Omar Brown took the track program to the next level during her tenure.

All of Swierbut’s record-setting success came with a lot of commitment, dedication, and hard work.

After having already competed in other events, such as the 100, 200, and 400, members of the relay team had to keep their competitive edge for what is typically the last event of meets.

“You’re running on fumes in one sense but everybody’s very excited for it,” Swierbut said.

“It’s been really tough at times but I wouldn’t change it for anything,” she said. “I’m sad it’s over.”

Traveling to various meets, such as to Jacksonville, Fla. for the regional competition, Penn State, and Boston University — just to name a few — gave Swierbut and her teammates a great opportunity to see different campuses and travel together.

Track has been a big part of Swierbut’s life for most of the last decade.

“I’ll miss it. I’ll miss it every day,” said Swierbut, adding that the competitive element was a bit stressful and anxiety-inducing and there was plenty of pain associated with pushing through these races, but that the social aspect and friendships made, mental toughness, and sense of accomplishment made it all worthwhile.

“It’s amazing, especially to have a really great group of girls pushing me,” Swierbut said. “I’ve been so lucky to be a part of it.”

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.