A junior captain on the Merrimack College women’s track & field team, Carly Muscaro is already a three-time Division 2 All-American. And the Ashland High graduate appears well on her way to earning a fourth honor.

In the first four indoor meets of the season, Muscaro recorded the top times among NCAA Division 2 runners in the 500 and 800 meters.

On Dec. 12, she clocked a 1:10.94 in the 500 at the Jay Carisella Invitational at the Reggie Lewis Center. Her time in the 800 (2:09.69) at the Tufts Invitational on Jan. 15 was an NCAA qualifying performance.

Last weekend, at the Bowdoin Invitational, the 5-foot-6 Muscaro continued to impress — breaking the school record in the 60-meter dash with a 7.65 clocking for a first-place finish.

“Carly just keeps going with all the intensity she possibly has,’’ said Merrimack head coach Jacky Mendes. “What impresses me is how much force she can put into the ground, how quickly she accelerates and her grit at the tough points of a race.’’

Muscaro was second in the 400 meters at last season’s NCAA Division 2 indoor and outdoor national meets. A criminology major, the 20-year-old Muscaro holds eight individual program records and has been a part of six school record-setting relay teams. She is also a resident assistant at the North Andover school.

Her father, Bob Muscaro, registered 29 shutouts as a goalie with the Babson College men’s soccer team from 1982-85 and is an assistant soccer coach at his alma mater. He also coached girls’ and boys’ soccer at Ashland High. Carly also played soccer at Ashland.

Q. Was there a turning point in your track career at Merrimack?

A. My freshman year over winter break I entered a mini-meet at BU and ran the 400 meters in 57 seconds. My best previous time was 58.16 in high school, so it gave me a ton of confidence.

Q. What do you consider your greatest achievement as a college athlete?

A. Placing first at the New England outdoor meet last spring at MIT in the 400 (51.83). It’s the second-fastest time by a female New England collegian. It broke the MIT track and our school record and also qualified me for last summer’s USTAF nationals and next summer’s Olympic trials.

Q. How does it feel to hold the best Division 2 indoor times in the 500 and 800?

A. It’s a result of my training on and off the track. I push myself to the limit at every workout because I know somebody else is also working toward a similar goal.

Q. How do you hope to apply your major?

A. To be a Massachusetts State trooper, helping to make people’s lives safer and better.

Q. Can you describe your dad’s influence?

A. His coaching style at Ashland High made me the athlete I am today. He was direct and honest, wanted us to be well-rounded individuals and I attribute my mental toughness to him.

Q. How have your second-place finishes at nationals motivated you?

A. I’ve been so close it makes me want to win that much more. I’ve worked closely with Pete Early, our sprints coach, to reach that goal.

Q. Why did you choose Merrimack?

A. There’s a great sense of community here and coach Early felt I could make a strong impact on the program.

Q. Have you stayed close with your high school track coach, Chris Avery?

A. Chris will text me after big meets. She drove to outdoor nationals in Grand Rapids, Mich., last year with my best friend and high school teammate, Samantha Otten.

Q. How was the experience at the USTAF nationals?

A. I was in the women’s (Over 18) 400 meter field and it was surreal because I was competing against Olympians and professionals. I was 22d in the country, which felt pretty amazing.

Q. What are your expectations for the Olympic Trials in July?

A. Just to give it my best shot. The experience and exposure can only be a positive.

Q. How has being a team captain resonated with you?

A. I love the responsibility and try to set an example with my work ethic. I’m serious, but also approachable. Practices can be tough so I sometimes try to lighten the mood with an inside joke.

Q. The women’s program is in its sixth year. What changes have you witnessed?

A. I’m really proud of how far we’ve come in numbers and attitude. We want our opponents to know Merrimack can compete and win points.

MARVIN PAVE

For full interview, go to bostonglobe.com/west.