On Saturday afternoon, Westfield traveled south to the John Bennett Indoor Sports Complex in Toms River, NJ. The John Bennett Indoor Sports Complex, otherwise known as “the bubble,” was filled with both runners and spectators. Scouts from several big-time college programs were also in attendance, most notably from Rutgers University.
Sean O’Brien continued her remarkable winter season in the 55 meter dash. She started out her day running a 7.29 in prelims that would place her third and send her off to the next round. In the finals she ran a 7.31, which would place her second, sending her off to the Meet of Champions.
This was a big accomplishment for O’Brien as it was her first time qualifying for the Meet of Champions. “It’s awesome to see that I’m achieving goals I set for myself,” said O’Brien. She added that at the Meet of Champions she is “looking to set a new PR for the two events I’m running and make it to the finals for the 55m dash.”
O’Brien was also able to shed light on how a team can really have an impact in such an individual-driven sport. “Some of my best friends run with me, so if I’m anxious before a race, they never fail to lighten the mood,” said O’Brien.
Westfield would continue to fight, but O’Brien’s 8 points from the 55m dash would be the only for the Blue Devils.
Ciara Dursee ran the 1600 in an impressive 5:16.62, but fell just short of scoring for the Blue Devils. Rounding it out for the distance events was Bella Hill, who competed in the 3200. Hill ran in the first heat and finished in 11:46.
Lily Norton was next up for Westfield. Norton competed in the third heat of the 55 meter hurdles, but she was unable to advance to the next round. However, she still ran an impressive 9.02 in the prelims.
Gabby Demeter would be the lone Blue Devil competing in a field event. Demeter went on to finish at a height of 4-foot-10 in the high jump.
Despite the Blue Devils’ 14th-place performance in the Group 4 Championships, O’Brien is excited to perform on March 4. “It’s super important to have fun and enjoy the experience which is what I’m planning to do at the [Meet of Champions],” O’Brien said.
The Blue Devils still have much to look forward to after O’Brien’s Saturday performance earned her a spot in the Meet of Champions at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, New York.
