The winners of the region’s first-ever pentathlon championship strike a celebratory pose at Saturday’s WMass track and field championships at Westfield State University. First-place finisher, Westfield’s Emily Andrews stands in the middle. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – The first time was the charm for Westfield High School senior Emily Andrews.
Andrews became the first-ever athlete to win the inaugural pentathlon competition at the WMass/CMass track and field championships Saturday at Westfield State University.
The Westfield senior beat out the field with 2,154 points. Hudson’s Emily Ducey was second (2,069) and Agawam’s Emily Ducey (2,069), third. Bombers’ Rachel Conklin was sixth (1,610).
“It feels good,” Andrews said. “And to do it senior year – I can go out with a bang.”
Andrews said the most challenging aspect of the competition proved to be the 800 meter run.
“I am not a distance runner,” she said.
The five-event competition was comprised of, not only the 800 meters, but also the 100 high hurdles, shot put, long jump, and high jump.
Andrews was first in two of those events (100 hurdles, 17.45; shot put, 7.95 meters), second in one (long jump, 4.46 meters), and third in another (high jump, 1.39 meters). She was fifth in the 800 meters (3:08.36).
Andrews received tremendous support from her coaching staff, especially head coach Linda Rowbotham, who predicted this outcome several months ago.
Westfield High School’s Morgan Sanders clears the hurdle in the 100-meter event Saturday during the Western Massachusetts Track & Field Championships at Westfield State University. (Photo by Chris Putz)
“At the beginning of the season, I told Emily I was going to groom her for the pentathlon,” coach Rowbotham said. “I was convinced she could win it. She is a total all-around athlete.”
Westfield received another all-around solid effort from Morgan Sanders, who claimed first place in the 100 meter hurdles (15.69). Sanders also placed ninth in the long jump (5-7.5).
The Bombers (9th place, 31 points) produced several other top 20 finishes.
Ally Morin finished fourth in the two-mile run (11:36.82). Keri Paton just missed out on qualifying for the state championships – fourth place or better is needed to advance – with a fifth-place throw of 111 feet, 5 inches in the javelin. She also claimed eighth in the shot put (30-5.25). Jenna Rothermel threw the discus 88 feet, good for a 12th place standing.
Westfield placed 13th in the 4×800 meter relay (11:01.98) with a team of Julia Santangelo, Caleigh Rockwal, Rachel Cousins, and Morin. The school’s 4×100 relay – Rothermel, Nicole Chartier, Sanders, and Karly Diltz – was 17th (54.23). The 4×400 team – Kayla Roskey, Ellie Dufraine, Santangelo, and Tyalor White – placed 13th (4:23.18).
Wachusett laid claim to the final team standings with 97.33 points, followed by Algonquin (90 points), and Northampton (88).
