Diana Cares ’00 led the pack as the No. 1 distance runner for the Westfield State championship cross country and track and field teams.

Cares was a three-time Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) champion in leading the Owls to four consecutive cross country championships from 1996-99. Cares also claimed eight conference distance titles as the Owls captured three consecutive MASCAC outdoor championships and three straight New England Alliance indoor titles from 1998-2000. She was the selected the outstanding meet performer at the 1999 MASCAC championships.

Cares was a consistent and versatile runner, winning conference crowns in the 1500, 3,000, 5,000, and 10,000 meter runs. She was a three-time MASCAC champ in both the 3,000 and 10,000. She won the ECAC New England Division III 5,000 meter run championship in 2000, and earned All-New England honors twice, finishing second in the 10,000 meter run in both 1999 and 2000. In addition, Cares capped her outstanding collegiate cross country career by earning All-New England honors her senior year.

Cares is the former school record holder in the 10,000 meter run and also held conference records in the 3,000 and 10,000.

Cares has continued her passion for cross country and track and field. She coaches the Whitcomb Middle School cross country and track and field teams in the Marlborough public schools, where she is employed full time as a paraeducator for moderate and severe special needs students. She has officiated high school and college cross country and track meets in Central Massachusetts for the past four years, and received her MIAA coaching certification last year.