Guilford's Janel Haggerty Earns Little East Track Honors

The Keene State College senior trio of Janel Haggerty of Guilford, along with Maggie Fitter and Ryan Widzgowski, moved up in the national Division III standings with personal best performances at the New England Track and Field Championships at Boston University that took place the last weekend in February. The performances earned her the title of Field Athlete of the Week at the college. 

"I was really excited to improve my ranking," said Haggerty in a press release (see below).  "I was a little surprised about my performance.  I didn't expect to have personal best score, but all my coaches helped me make it happen."

Haggerty finished third in the pentathlon at the New England Open Championships with 3,433 points to climb to second in the latest NCAA Division III rankings, just two points behind the leader. She also placed third in the high jump (1.66m), fourth in the both 60-meter hurdles (9.22) and 800-meter run (2:24.47) and sixth in the long jump (5.50m) and ninth in the shot put (8.74m).

Here is the full Press Release: 

BOSTON, MASS. 2/23/13 - The Keene State College senior trio of Janel Haggerty (Guilford, Conn.) and Maggie Fitter (Branford, Conn.) and junior Ryan Widzgowski (Camden, Maine) moved up in the national Division III standings with personal best performances at the New England Track and Field Championships at Boston University this weekend.

Haggerty finished third in the pentathlon with 3,433 points, jumping up to second in the national Division III rankings in the event.  She is just two points behind Megan Stringer a senior from Illinois College, who has 3,435 points.

Haggerty placed third in the high jump (5'-05.25"), fourth in the 800 (2:24.47) and 60-meter hurdles (9.22), sixth in the long jump (16'-7.00") and ninth in the shot-put (28'-08.25").  "I was really excited to improve my ranking," said Haggerty.  "I was a little surprised about my performance.  I didn't expect to have personal best score, but all my coaches helped me make it happen."

Haggerty said she was especially happy about her effort in the high jump.  "I didn't have my usual pop and spring," she said.  "I also didn't know the height.  But I saw everyone jumping up-and-down after I cleared, so I knew it was a great mark."

Also in contention to qualify nationally in the high jump and 60-meter hurdles, Haggerty will compete in both events at the Tufts Invitational meet on Saturday.

Fitter posted her personal best time of 2:12.41 in the preliminaries of the 800 race on Saturday.  "I think it took a weight off her shoulders when she got the times," said KSC Coach Peter Thomas.

Fitter came back to finish sixth in the finals with a time of 2:19.06.  She is currently ranked 14th in the race.  The top 15 will qualify for the championships.

Widzgowski placed seventh in the mile with a time of 4:09.01.  With his time adjusted to 4:12.20 due to running on a bank track, Widzgowski is presently ranked eighth in the event in the national standings and in good shape to qualify for the national meet.  "I expected a fast time because I was in the seeded mile, but initially we started slow," said Widzgowski.  "Fortunately, we started clinking and I was able to close and get a good time."

Content with his time, Widzgowski will compete in either the 800 or 1,000 at Tufts next weekend.

In the team standings, the KSC women placed 19th with nine points.  UConn won the championship with 149.33 points.  The Huskies also won the men's title with 164.50 points.

Information provided by Keene State College.