By Jennifer Toland
Telegram & Gazette Staff
Telegram & Gazette Link

Worcester State freshman Bernice Mensah had a breakout performance at last weekend's MASCAC indoor track and field championships. Mensah was a triple winner with victories in the 60 meters, long jump and triple jump.

"I felt like all the practice paid off," said Mensah, a Worcester resident and Worcester Tech graduate, who was named MASCAC Indoor Track & Field Rookie of the Week.

Mensah set a MASCAC record in the 60 with her preliminary time of 8 seconds.

"I was shocked," she said. "I've been working on my reaction time. I tend to start off slower after the gun goes off."

Mensah, who will compete in all three events at this weekend's New England Division 3 championships, started the season off strong with a third-place finish in the long jump and a fourth-place finish in the triple jump at the UMass-Boston Invitational.

The next week, and the Husky Indoor Invitational, she had four top-five performances (200, triple jump, long jump, 60) at the Tufts Invite No. 1.

"I learned a lot this year about balancing pushing myself and resting," Mensah said.

Mensah and former teammate, Adja Sackor, formed quite a pair at Worcester Tech. Sackor and Mensah finished 3-4 in the triple jump at last spring's All-State championships, and 1-2 in the event at the Central Mass. championships.

Mensah's accomplishments in the classroom were even more impressive at Worcester Tech, where she was the valedictorian of her class. She is majoring in biology at Worcester State.