Typically, a season opener is used to ease into the season and help gear up for other meets. However, at the Essex County Track Season Opener Invitational on Dec. 20, the girls winter track team proved that they are already more than ready for what the indoor season has to offer.
The meet kicked off with one of the most exciting events and showcased one of Westfield’s most highly anticipated runners. Senior and Amherst College commit Lilly Petrie lined up for the 55-meter hurdles, and threw down a time of 8.79 seconds. Her result was not only enough to capture her a spot in the final, but also capture second place in a field of 62. In the final, Petrie finished strong with a fourth place finish and proved to be one of Westfield’s top performers of the day.
While the infield was filled with immense action, the 1600 meter was occurring on the track. Despite three scratches from Westfield due to injury and illness, Emily Drennan and Abby Drennan fought hard, and clocked times of 6:07 and 6:13, respectively.
Shortly after, some of Westfield’s top sprinters toed the line in the 400. Sophomore Isabella Rispoli and senior Elle Romano came up big, with times of 1:07.76 and 1:12.31 to keep the positive momentum in the Blue Devils favor.
Although the sprinters already had such a monumental impact on Westfield’s team score, their high level efforts did not end there. Back on the infield, senior Morgan Samet (7.89), Leah Abrams (8.14), junior Audrina Cohall (8.38) and Romano (8.54) all put up great times in the 55 and contributed to Westfield’s outstanding performance.
Back on the distance side, the 800 race proved to be a great opportunity for the Blue Devils to score more points. Senior and Bucknell University commit Anna Kylish put forth an amazing effort for Westfield with a third place finish and a blistering time of 2:24. Closely behind was senior Olivia Thorton who ran a time of 2:31 for a seventh place finish. Junior Claire Sewald also captured tenth place in a time of 2:34.
“It gives me a good starting point to cut down from,” said Thorton after the race. “I’m excited to work this season to hopefully get my best times yet.”
As the last event of the day approached, the sprinters lined up for the 200 and hoped to close out the meet as well as they began. Abrams and Petrie led the way for Westfield with times of 28.42 and 28.56, respectively. Cohall (29.57) and Samet (30.06) closely followed.
After running the 55 and the 200, Cohall said, “I have a lot of faith in our team. We work really hard and we deserve [our success].”
At the end of the day, the Blue Devils celebrated their victories, but also looked ahead to what the rest of their season could look like.
“We want everyone on this team to get a personal best,” said assistant coach Ricardo Johnson. “Why not win Counties?”
