Lopez and Betcher Lead Lancers to Second Place Finish at MASCAC Championship

Worcester, MA. — The Worcester State University women's track and field team turned in an impressive performance at the MASCAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship hosted by Fitchburg State, finishing second in the team standings with 153 points. The Lancers collected event victories, set multiple personal bests, and even etched a new school record on the day. Worcester State's versatility was on full display throughout the championship meet, with athletes contributing points across sprints, distance events, hurdles, relays, jumps, and throws.

Junior Alexis Strong (Southington, CT) was a standout performer in the sprints, earning a runner-up finish in the 100 meters with a personal-best time of 12.62 in the final after posting a personal-best 12.74 in qualifying. Strong also competed in the 200 meters, finishing fourth in 26.90, and added a second-place finish in the long jump (5.39m), making her one of the meet's most impactful multi-event competitors.

Sophomore Arianna Farrell (Wilmington, MA) had a strong day across the sprint and hurdle events. She advanced to the 100m final with a personal-best 13.46 in qualifying and improved that to a personal-best 13.50 in the final, finishing seventh. Farrell also excelled in the 100-meter hurdles, finishing fourth in the final with a personal-best 17.41 after advancing through qualifying.

First-year Janine Betcher (Fontana, CA) delivered one of the day's top individual performances, winning the 400 meters outright in a personal-best 60.62 — taking the event title for Worcester State.

Senior Leah Berg (Worcester, MA) headlined the distance corps with a historic run in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, crossing the line in second place with a time of 12:32.72, a personal best and a new Worcester State school record. Berg also ran the 5,000 meters, finishing 10th in 20:55.64. First-year Anna Serafini (Leominster, MA) matched the momentum in the steeplechase, finishing third in a personal-best 12:43.38, an excellent result for a first-year athlete on the championship stage.

Sophomore Samantha Edwards (East Longmeadow, MA) placed second in the 1,000 meters. In the 800 meters, First-year Caydence Carr (Upton, MA) set a personal best of 2:32.84 (sixth), and senior Claudia Symonick (Auburn, MA) also posted a personal best of 2:40.18 (ninth). Senior Kelsey Gendreau (Seekonk, MA) finished 11th in the 1,500 meters (5:46.11), while senior Jillian McMenemy (Westborough, MA) and First-year Lauren Flanagan (Milford, MA) also competed in the event.

First-year Lilah Delongchamp (Worcester, MA) placed fourth in the 400-meter hurdles in a personal-best 72.56.

Worcester State's relay squads put together a terrific showing, picking up three second-place finishes. The 4x100 relay team of sophomore Emily Bodwell (Lakeville, MA), Farrell, Strong, and First-year Peyton Watkins (Salisbury, MA) finished runner-up in 51.06. The 4x400 relay squad of First-year Leah Bordenca (Westford, MA), Delongchamp, junior Mia Guinto (West Boylston, MA), and First-year Makenna Perro (Brookfield, MA) also claimed second place in 4:30.62. The 4x800 relay team of Betcher, Carr, senior Bridget O'Malley (Leominster, MA), and Serafini rounded out the relay success with a second-place finish in 10:05.33.

In the field events, First-year Jenna Lopez (West Springfield, MA) won the shot put with a mark of 11.05 meters, giving Worcester State its second individual event title of the day. Lopez also competed in the hammer (sixth, 29.46m). Junior Morgan Merrell (Leicester, MA) had an outstanding day in the throws, finishing second in both the discus (32.34m) and the hammer (35.81m). Senior Ava Piccolo (Tewksbury, MA) was consistent across three events: sixth in shot put (9.75m), fifth in discus (29.12m), and third in hammer (35.33m). Junior Jadah Stokes (Chicopee, MA) also contributed in all three throws, placing fourth in shot put (9.98m), seventh in discus (24.88m), and fifth in hammer (31.46m). Sophomore Charlotte Collins (Weymouth, MA) contributed sixth place in discus (27.85m) and fourth in hammer (33.11m).

In the javelin, sophomore Angela Crognalo-Torrez (Walpole, MA) placed third (29.63m), with Piccolo sixth (25.15m) and Perro eighth (24.61m). In the pole vault, First-year Gabriella Fischel (Westport, CT) cleared 2.29 meters for a second-place finish, and Watkins added a fourth-place mark of 2.14 meters. Junior Lauren Condike (East Longmeadow, MA) competed in the high jump (seventh, 1.40m) and long jump (13th, 4.03m). Bodwell also competed in the long jump (ninth, 4.52m) and triple jump (seventh, 9.41m), and sophomore Gracie Van Akin (Belmont, VT) rounded out the long jump with a 12th-place finish (4.05m).

Worcester State athletes set numerous personal bests throughout the day, reflecting the competitive preparation the program has put in throughout the season. Among those setting new marks were Betcher, Carr, Delongchamp, Farrell (twice), Guinto, Berg, Perro, Strong (twice), and Symonick.