WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State University will host its popular James Earley Invitational cross country meet on Saturday at Stanley Park.
This is the 23rd renewal of the meet, which is named in memory of Westfield State runner James Earley, who lost his life in a motorcycle accident in 1995 just weeks before his senior year at Westfield State.
The meet features two divisions for both the men's and the women's races, with the first race starting at 10:30 a.m.
Thirty-eight schools are scheduled to participate, with teams from the NCAA Division I, II, and III levels, as well as several junior colleges, which will use the meet as a prep for the NJCAA national championship meet which will be held on the Stanley Park course later this fall.
"It's 38 teams, and we will see where we stand as a team, both on the men's and women's side" said Westfield State head coach Bill Devine. "We need to run closer as a team both with the men and the women."
Westfield State is led by senior Tim Forrest (Westborough/Grafton, Mass.), who has been the first man across the finish line for the Owls in all three races this season. He placed 20th overall with a time of 27:03.23 as the Owl men were fifth a year ago.
"Tim is a good leader for us," said Devine.
Sophomores Kevin Rayner (Pittsfield, Mass.) and Zak Bentley (Taunton/Acushnet, Mass.) and junior Brandon Leclair (Wamogo/Goshen, Conn.) are among the top group for the Owls. Senior Pat Brett (Whitman Hanson/Hanson, Mass.), who was 31st at the Earley meet last year, is starting to get healthier after a slow start to the season.
Trinity (Conn.) College, UMass-Dartmouth and Springfield College figure to be among the strongest teams in the men's competition. Defending champion and 2018 All-American Sam Brunette is expected to compete for Plymouth State University. He paced the field in 25:35.03 in 2017.
The Owl women have a new standout in freshman Amy O'Sullivan (Greenfield, Mass.), who has been the top finisher for the Owls in each of their three meets this season.
"Amy is a very hard-working, determined young lady, and she will do some very good things as a student athlete here," said Devine.
Junior Andrea Noland (Silver Lake/Kingston, Mass.) has run consistently well for the Owls, and Westfield has a veteran group with seniors Kerry O'Neil (Stoughton, Mass.), Lauren Izabel (Suffield/Enfield, Conn.), Lauren Fitzgerald (Burncoat/Worcester, Mass.), and Lindsey Wassung (Agawam/Feeding Hills, Mass.) who will be competing on their home course for the final time.
"Right now we have a pretty big gap between Amy, Andrea and the next group. Tightening that up will make us stronger as a team moving forward, and we have another strong newcomer in Sara Tormey (Pembroke, Mass.) who is starting to get healthy," said Devine.
The Owl women were fourth in the Earley meet last season, led by the efforts of 2018 graduate and two-time All-American Jessie Cardin, who placed second individually in 18:14.77. New England College's Abby Shafer won the 2017 Earley in a time of 18:07.
The meet will serve as a bit of a preview to the MASCAC championship, as the Owls will see five of their six opponents competing at the Earley. Worcester State is the defending MASCAC team champions, while Fitchburg State topped the men's standings last year. Bridgewater State is the only MASCAC team that passed on the Earley meet this season.
The meet brings considerable business to Westfield, as 784 runners competed in the meet last year, plus numerous spectators and families. A similar number of competitors and crowd is expected this year.
The race courses start and finish in the great field of Stanley Park, adjacent to Western Ave. The men's 8,000-meter race does several laps of the field before descending into the trails of the wildlife sanctuary. The runners climb back up for a half lap of the field before finishing almost opposite the Woodward Center fieldhouse. The women's 5,000 meter course starts with a half lap of the great field, then descends into the trails, before returning to the upper field with a half lap to the same finish line.
"The course just keeps getting better," said Devine. "Due to the Run Stanley fundraiser and some other gifts, the park improves each year. The trails drain better, better signage, it's a great resource for the community whether you are a runner, a walker or whatever."
"Many of our young alumni enjoy coming back and competing as well," said Devine. "There aren't many opportunities for unattached runners to compete (as they can in the Blue race), and they enjoy coming back to campus and the camaraderie."
Race Schedule
10:30am Women's Blue Race (sub-varsity)
11:15 Women's White Race (varsity)
12:00 Men's White Race (varsity)
12:45 Men's Blue Race (sub-varsity)
Spectators are encouraged to park at the Westfield State commuter lot, just down the street from Stanley Park. Plan to arrive early as traffic on Western Avenue may be slowed due to the size of the meet and the other athletic events at Westfield State University.