Jen Toland, College Beat Writer

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Brian Chabot, WPI's track and field coach, and his Worcester State counterpart John Muse, had a chance to catch up at last weekend's ECAC Championships, which was good, because they have a lot to share.

Each coach is sending a record five participants to the NCAA Division III Championships in Claremont, California. The meet will be held tomorrow though Saturday.

"Brian and I were talking about how great it is to have such a great representation of local kids competing on the national stage," Muse said. "We're really excited."

Headlining the WPI group is junior Noelle Richard of Oxford. Richard who will compete in the 400 meters, is making her fourth straight NCAA appearance. She qualified for last year's outdoor championships and the previous two indoor championships. Richard claimed a bronze medal at the ECACs.

"She has the experience, and she has rewritten her own (school) record a million times," Chabot said. "The next step is for her to reach All-American status."

The top eight in each even earn All-America honors.

Jarrett Arrendondo, who was seventh in the hammer in 2009, was WPIs last All-American.

Also competing for WPI are junior high jumper Julie Eagle, who is making her second-straight NCAA outdoor appearance; junior high jumper Jameel Galloway, who also plays for the men's basketball team; senior pole vaulter Emily Pierce, who qualified with a height of 12 feet, 1.5 inches in the final meet of the season; and junior Vicky Hewey, who is competing in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.

Worcester State junior Briana Wise of Worcester continues her outstanding year with her first NCAA outdoor appearance. This past winter, she was the first female Lancer to compete at the NCAA Division III Championships since 2006. Wise is seeded third in the 200 (24.28) and 12th in the 100 (12.04). She owns the school record in both events.

"She is one of the hardest working kids I know," Muse said. "She is so driven. Every day she wants to get better and better."

Sophomore Christy Deininger is the 21st seed in the 100 hurdles. She finished third in the event at the ECACs and has reset her school record four times in the last five weeks.

Wise, Deininger, freshman Brittany Hodgerney of Leicester and senior Sarah Rafferty of Uxbridge captured the Division III New England title in the 400 relay in a school-record time of 47.27 seconds and will try to match the feat this week.

Freshman Alyssa Jasper will compete in the javelin.