WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State women's cross country runner Shea Hamel (Longmeadow, Mass.) received conference recognition this past week as she was named the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Runner of the Week after the Owls season-opening meet on Saturday.

Hamel was the first home for the Owls in 11:57.3 on the two-mile course at the Keene State Alumni Invitational, placing fourth individually and setting a personal record by 44 seconds. The sophomore helped edge Keene State, 32-24 in the team scoring to secure the team crown.

Hamel picked up right where she left off from a season ago as the Longmeadow native earned the MASCAC Rookie of the Year at the 2022 MASCAC Championship meet while also picking up All-Conference honors as well.

Westfield State women's cross country will be back in action on Saturday, September 9 as the Owls travel to the Trinity College Invitational meet from Hartford, Conn. beginning at 10:30 A.M.