Westfield High School junior track star Ben Doiron (above) won the 2-mile at the WMASS/CMASS track and field championships. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – Westfield junior Ben Doiron surged to victory in the 2 mile event, winning in 9:34.17 at Saturday’s WMass/CMass boys’ track and field championships at Westfield State University.
Doiron beat out Minnechaug’s Sam Conway (2nd, 9:40.20) and Amherst’ Ryan Stender (3rd, 9:43.49). The lone Bombers’ WMass/CMass champ surged past Conway with about 400 meters remaining to claim the top prize.
Doiron opened the race by hanging in the middle of the lead pack. Conway took over the lead late, and that is when the Westfield junior knew he was position to win it.
Bombers’ Jordanio Oquendo races toward the finish line in Saturday’s Western/Central Massachusetts championship meet at Westfield State University. (Photo by Chris Putz)
“My tactic was to sit on the leader until it was time to go,” said Doiron, who shaved three seconds off his personal best time. “I knew it would come down to the last couple of laps.
Doiron said it took a little something extra to shake off the wind in his face, cramping legs, and a tiring body.
Westfield’s Cheyenn Grabiec placed fifth in the 1 mile run (4:34.74), and Nick Jacques finished sixth in the 100 meter dash (11.58). Freshman Gabriel Piepergerdes also had a nice showing for the Bombers, placing 22nd in the mile (4:49.70).
The top three team finishers were Amherst (71 points), Northampton (59), and St. John’s (54).
