Westfield’s Morgan Sanders leads the pack in the 55 meter hurdles Friday night at Smith College in Northampton. (Photo by Chris Putz)
NORTHAMPTON – Who says a fallen star can’t rise over and over and over again?
Westfield junior Morgan Sanders continued to shine brightly on one of the region’s brightest stages, winning a second straight west sectional indoor track championship in the 55 meter hurdles Friday night at Smith College in Northampton.
Sanders set a new record in the 55 meter hurdles with a time of 8.58 seconds, shattering the old mark of 8.68 (set by Maddilyn Baird in 2009). She bested Northampton’s Sierra Loomis (9.14) and Katherine Strain (9.33).
“I’ve been working really hard this year,” said Sanders, who still remains unbeaten in the event this season. “I have a lot of support from my team, coaches, and my parents too.”
Sanders said she spent the offseason training with several members of the boys’ team, lifting weights and performing cardiovascular activities. She has come a long way since a fall in the same championship event her freshman year.
“That seams like a lifetime ago,” Westfield girls’ indoor track coach Linda Rowbotham said.
Sanders also competed fully in the 55 meter dash, crossing the finish line in 7.65 seconds (6th overall).
Westfield’s boys’ 4×200 relay team also enjoyed a stellar run, finishing second (1:35.70) only to first-place Amherst (1:35.70) by less than a tenth of a second.
JORDANIO OQUENDO
“I’m super proud of my relay teammates,” said Westfield senior Jordanio Oquendo, who completed the final leg of the relay. Ryan Prenosil, Jeff McConkey, and Brian Dougenik handed off the baton to Oquendo in the event.
Oquendo also placed sixth in the 55 meter dash (6.77) and fourth in the 300 meter dash (37.24).
Other top 10 finishes for Westfield included: Taylor White (600 meters, 7th overall), the girls’ 4×200 relay team (ninth overall), 4×400 relay (seventh), and the 4×800 (eighth), Ryan Prenosil (600 meters, 4th overall), Cheyenne Grabiec (1000 meters, 2nd, 2:37.79), and the boys’ 4×800 relay team (10th overall).
In other games reported Friday night, Southwick fell to Easthampton 54-30, and Franklin Tech topped St. Mary’s 82-44. John Collins led the Rams with nine points and nine rebounds, while Nick Garde (16 points) and Steve McKenna (11) reached double-digits scoring for the Saints.
