Buzzards Bay, MA --- Sophomore standout Mercedes Arnold (Mira Loma, CA) has been selected as this week’s MASCAC Women’s Field Athlete of the Week while classmate Maura Withington (West Palm Beach, FL) shares the MASCAC Women’s Track Athlete of the Week honor with Westfield State’s Kerry Arouca. Both student-athletes were distinguished for their performance in the Lancer’s second-place team finish at last weekend’s Worcester City Meet.
Arnold captured top honors in the long jump (4.88 meters) before she placed second overall in the triple jump (10.47 meters) as she qualified for the New England Division III Championships in both events.
Arnold had a tremendous indoor season as she earned accolades for her performance in the long jump and triple jump at the All-Division III New England Championships, the All-New England Championships and at the ECAC Championships. Arnold was also named a MASCAC Indoor Field Athlete of the Week five out of a possible 10 times.
Arnold’s leap in the triple jump at the All-New England’s qualified her provisionally for the Division III Indoor Championships and her distance in the same event a week later at the ECAC’s was an inch off the school record.
Withington eclipsed the school record with a first place effort in the 3,000 meter steeplechase with a time of 12:45.80 and she capped off the meet taking home eighth in the 800 meter run (2:40.91). Withington broke the mark set last year by Kara Antrim (12:47.56) at the MASCAC Championships.
Withington performed well in the indoor season as she garnered All-MASCAC honors in the 600 meters and the 4x800 relay. Withington also helped the 4x800 relay team break the school record at the Division III New England’s.
Worcester State is back in action next week at Fitchburg State next Saturday.