Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Picked Second in Preseason Polls
The Westfield State men’s and women’s track and field teams each placed second in the MASCAC Outdoor Track and Field Preseason Coaches Poll
WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Westfield State men's and women's track and field teams were each selected second in the 2022 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Outdoor Preseason Coaches Polls.
On the men's side, the Owls trail only Bridgewater State, receiving 12 second-place points to Bridgewater's 16 points. Last season, Westfield finished third at the MASCAC Championships as returning senior Shane Clark (Bellows Falls, Vt.) had a productive day in multiple field events, finishing second in the shot put and javelin throw. He was also named to the New England Division III All-Region in javelin. The men's team also returns senior Owen Ortiz (Athol, Mass.) and sophomore Colby Ranck (West Springfield, Mass.) who each placed top three in the triple jump at the conference championships a season ago.
On the women's side, the Owls earned two first-place receiving votes and a total of 22 points. Preseason favorites Bridgewater State accumulated 24 points and four first-place votes to narrowly edge the Owls. Westfield State finished third in the MASCAC Championships last year with senior Amy O'Sullivan (Greenfield, Mass.) leading the way by winning three of six individual titles for the Owls. She led the pack in the 1,500-meter run with a time of 4:57.12, finished and posted an 18:10.46 mark in the 5K, and completed the 10K in 37:46.44. O'Sullivan advanced to the NEICAAA New England All-Divisions Track and Field Championship where she lowered her school-record time in the 10K.
Senior Mia McDonald (Westfield, Mass.) also returns for Westfield, and was a MASCAC Champion at the 3,000-meter steeplechase last year, posting a time of 12:46.48.
First-year Vicky Marin (Greenfield, Mass.) has made an immediate impact for the team through significant contributions in the indoor season that earned her a spot on the Division III All-Region Team. In her first meet of this year's outdoor season, Marin won two individual events in the 100-meter hurdles and the long jump last Saturday at the Wesleyan Spring Classic.
Westfield State track and field will next compete in the Corsair Classic from UMass Dartmouth on Saturday, April 2.