Mike Skelly competes at the 2015 James Earley Invitational. (Photo courtesy of Westfield State University Sports)
WESTFIELD – Westfield State senior cross country runner Mike Skelly is enjoying a strong senior season that has seen him earn MASCAC runner of the week honors on two occasions, including after a solid performance at the Paul Short Run in Bethlehem, Pa., one of the biggest cross country meets in the nations.
“Short was an awesome experience Some of the best of the best teams on the East Coast are there, and it’s almost humbing to go from a big fish in a small pond to being a small fish,” Skelly said. “But we ran really well, we all PR’d (personal records) and that made it more fun.”
After finishing sixth at the Owls’ 20th annual James Earley Invitational Cross Country meet at Stanley Park on October 10, Skelly sat out Westfield’s final regular season meet in preparation for the MASCAC Championships on October 31.
“It’s very beneficial for us to have a true home course, and to have it across the street from campus,” said Skelly. “It’s always a soft spot to run so that we don’t have to put as much time in on pavement. It’s a lot nicer on your legs; you don’t take as much pounding, which lets us get more mileage in.”
Westfield State has won back-to-back MASCAC championships, with Skelly finishing third overall last year at the Mount Greylock course to propel the Owls to the title.
“We want to win the MASCAC meet again, and we will have our work cut out for us,” Skelly said. “Fitchburg looks very tough this year. We have to be ready to run because that’s going to be a real race.”
A Movement Science – Sports Medicine major, Skelly is interested in attending chiropractic school or entering a physician’s assistant program after graduating this coming May.
“Coach Devine, and how close the team was were big factors in my coming to Westfield State,” said Skelly. “The whole atmosphere here was great – some of the other schools didn’t seem like the teams were as close knit as we are.”
Skelly has progressed well in his time at Westfield State under eighth-year head coach Bill Devine. Heading into his senior season, Skelly and many of his teammates have ramped up their training, doing long runs together on their off days, and it’s paying dividends on the course.
Skelly typically runs 60-65 miles per week, but that number has dropped in order to peak heading into the MASCAC and regional championship meets.
“I think he understands training,” Devine said. “He’s gotten better since he started doing more long runs. He’s our best runner in a meet.
“He’s matured and understands how to run an 8k race, and that it’s not a sprint. The race really doesn’t start until the 3-mile mark. He’s got tenacity and learned how to hang in there early – even if you aren’t running great – and then find that next gear and maintain it through the end of the race.”
“I have progressed a lot (at Westfield) – mostly by being smarter,” said Skelly. “I’ve learned from coach, from my teammates what really works.”
“He’s everything you expect from a senior captain,” said Devine. “He communicates with the team, as does Steve Parece, our other captain, he sets a good example, keeps the team in line and runs fast.”
“Coach Devine is interesting,” said Skelly “You can tell that he really cares about the team and he’s almost like a parent to us as well. He entertains us and helps keep us calm and succeed.”
“Mike is a quality person,” said Devine. “He has honesty, integrity, he’s a good student. A lot of runners are good students, but when I’m recruiting I am also looking at the quality of the person. If you have a good person, like Skelly, you don’t have issues.”
After the MASCAC championships, Skelly’s sights will be set on the NCAA regional qualifying meet.
“All New England is a realistic goal for Mike, which is top 35 in New England,” said Devine. “Last year number 30 got into nationals. It is extremely tough to qualify and it depends on how many teams the NCAA takes, and a number of factors. It’s on a fast course this year at Harkness State Park.”
“If I run well I might have a chance,” said Skelly. That’s a goal we strive for.”
