Laforest, Marin Win Events at Coast Guard Invitational

Westfield State's Brenden Laforest won the men's 600 meters to highlight the Owls track and field teams' performances at the Coast Guard Invitational meet on Saturday in New London, Conn.

Laforest completed the circuit in 1:28.08, helping the team to a third place finish among the six competing teams.

The Westfield State women finished fourth, highlighted by Victoria Marin's win in the 55-meter hurdles in a time of 9.33 second.   She added second place finish in the long jump at 4.95 meters

On the men's side, Westfield State got a number of strong place finishes including Jonathan Chery, who placed third in the 55-meter dash with a time of 6.85 in the finals after qualifying in 6.81 I the preliminaries.  Lucas Roberts and Chery finished 3-4 in the 200 meters

Shane Clark took second in the shot put with a toss of 13.17 meters, and was third in the weight throw at 13.11 meters.

Owen Ortiz placed third in the triple jump at 13.02 meters, and Colby Ranck and Ortiz finished 2-3 in the long jump, with leaps of 6.20 and 6.19 meters, respectively.

For the Owl women, Becca Welch and Savannah Campbell ran third and fourth in the 400 meters, with Welch hitting the wire in 1:09.19, and Welch added a second in the 200 in 29.29 with Mackenzie Burgoyne just behind in third.

Westfield is next slated to compete at the MASCAC championship meet on Saturday, Feb 12 at Wheaton College.