(L-R) Former DCMS student Treshae Clarke, Former DCMS student Anna McCartney and Marissa Small-Towns
The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls’ Track team had an exceptional showing at the New England Prep Schools Track Association Division III Track & Field Championship in Bath, Maine, May 18.
Three Titans were crowned New England champions, and the team also capped their season by setting three school records.
“The girls’ team, all the record holders are returning next year for the girls so we’re looking forward to a very successful season,” Coach Paul Ekness said. “The girls placed fifth in New England out of 19 teams.”
Marissa Small-Towns ’14, Anna McCartney ’15 and Shae Clarke ’16 all finished with gold medals.
Marissa easily won the 400, crossing four seconds ahead of the field in 59.84.
“I didn’t run my best but I did push it in the 400,” Marissa said. “Some girls were fighting for first place. It was excited because freshman year I got third place and this year I got to take home the gold medal.”
Marissa bounced back less than 30 minutes later to take second in the 800 (2:34.4).
Anna bettered her school record in the triple jump, going 33 feet to win the event by a convincing 3 feet. She had the best jump going into the final before popping her school record jump on her fourth attempt.
“There was one girl who I thought was going to beat me,” Anna explained. “But she jumped her last jump and it wasn’t as far as mine. I got the gold medal and I was so happy.”
Anna, who missed last year’s New England meet due to injury, also finished sixth in the high jump by clearing 4-5.
Shae capped her brilliant first season at WMA by racing to the gold medal in the 100 meter dash. She won her heat and had the top time going into the final before handily topping the field of eight in the championship race.
“I looked back when I crossed the finish line and I didn’t see anyone on the side of me,” said Shae, who set the school record in the 100 earlier in the season. “I thought I had a chance to be the top 10. To come in first, I felt really good about myself that I did my best.”
Both relay teams set school records. The 4×100 foursome of Anna, Shae, Molley Shea ’13 and Maria Slater ’14 ran a runner-up time of 53.80, while the 4×400 team of Marissa, Maria, Molley and Ivy Durepo ’13 posted a fifth place time of 4:34.
Maria finished fifth in the 200 in 28.60.
