Women's Track Opens Spring in Conn.

Westfield State's women's track and field team opened the 2026 outdoor season with several strong performances at the J. Elmer Swanson Invitational at Wesleyan College in Middletown, Conn. on Saturday.

Leading the way in the track events was senior Shea Hamel, who delivered one of the team's best results of the meet with a fourth-place finish in the 5000 meters in 18:41.07. She was supported by a tight pack of Owls in the same event, as sophomore Samantha Panzeri placed sixth with a personal-best time of 19:22.04 ,and senior Tealei Chandonnet was seventh in 19:29.81, giving Westfield State three of the top seven spots.

In the 10,000 meters, senior Julianne Kelly posted another solid performance, placing 4th overall in 40:25.31

The middle-distance and distance group continued to contribute solidly, with sophomore Reese Stevens finishing 7th in the 1500 meters (4:55.82), another personal best time.

Stevens, Kelly, and Hamel all ran provisional qualifying times for the New England Division III Championships later this spring.

On the sprint side, freshman Emma Daly was the top Westfield State finisher in the 100 meters, placing 10th in 13.27, just outside the top eight. In the 400 meters, sophomore Jailene Felix turned in a strong effort to place 9th overall in 1:03.21,

Westfield State also found success in the field events, led by senior Eliza Lee, who was a double scorer with a pair of top-three finishes. Lee placed 3rd in the long jump (5.36m) and matched that placement in the triple jump (11.14m), accounting for two of the team's top field event performances of the meet.   Both Lee's marks were automatic qualifiers for the NED3 Championships.

Westfield will be back in action at the AIC Invitational in Springfield, Mass. next Saturday, March 28.