WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State University senior Amy O'Sullivan (Greenfield, Mass.) punctuated a sensational career at Westfield State with an individual win in the 2021 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference women's cross country championships, leading the Owls to the team title as well.
O'Sullivan covered the 5k course at Willard Park in Devens, Mass. in 18:46, a minute and 35 seconds in front of her closest competitor, to win the race and earn the MASCAC Runner of the Year award.
"On a dreary, pouring day, Amy ran really well, and led right from the start," said Westfield State head coach Bill Devine. "She's the glue that holds our team together, we knew she could win the race, and she ran like a number one runner should."
The result represents a steady rise for the Owls' standout, who was fifth in her freshman season (and the league rookie of the year), and third in her sophomore season, before missing out when the season was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic in her junior year.
"She's a smart runner," said Devine. "She's not afraid to give you her opinion on how things went in a workout, in a race. It's definitely a progression. She wasn't running 60 miles a week as a freshman and she has worked her way up to it. You can't just jump in and do it, it's progressive. She's smart about her training."
Owls senior Mia McDonald (Westfield, Mass.) finished fourth (20:40), and first-year Kerin Johnson (Weymouth, Mass.) fifth in 20:50 to earn the league's rookie of the year award. Both Johnson and MacDonald will earn spots on the All-Conference team by virtue of finishing in the top 10 at the meet.
Senior Sarah Tormey (Pembroke, Mass.) placed 13th in 21:31 and first-year Molly Kennedy (West Springfield, Mass.) 14th in 21:38 to round out the scoring five for Westfield.
Devine also credited the depth in his lineup, as the Owls raced without senior Kayla Whitcomb (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin Reg.) , who missed the meet due to a (non-covid related) illness.
"Sarah Tormey and Molly Kennedy showed up big time, and that's part of what being a team is all about, picking up where someone else may leave off," said Devine. "The whole team ran very well."
Devine was named as the league's coach of the year in the ballot among his peers.
Westfield outscored Bridgewater State 37-52 to claim the team title, followed by Worcester (87), amd Fitchburg and Framingham were fourth and fifth with 98 points each.
Westfield will next compete at the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Meet on Saturday, November 13 at Harkness Park in Waterford, Conn.