PANCAKE BREAKFAST

East Longmeadow Pancake Breakfast on Saturday May 16, 2015. This is to benefit the Girls Track & Field programs. Please see a member of the team to secure your ticket or come to the Spartan Invitational this Friday!

SUSHI AT NATIONALS

Paige secured 24th place in the nation., while clearing 5 feet 2 1/2 inches. This was in a field that alwo included some Canadians. Below is her excerpt from the Reminder Publications on her signing with Northeastern University.

EAST LONGMEADOW – In the conference room at East Longmeadow High School, Paige Suse nervously milled around and joked with teammates, while girls track coach Michael Budd paced around the back of the room.

After a couple of minutes, he approached this reporter and said, “You can set this up however you want; I’ve never done anything like this before.”

Feb. 26, indeed, a unique day for East Longmeadow track and field, as prolific high-jumper Paige Suse signed her National Letter of Intent to Northeastern University.

The event, however unfamiliar to those who put it on, with glowing words from school administrators, pictures with her coaches, teammates, and parents and grandmother, and homemade cupcakes, made one thing abundantly clear – it was an extraordinary day for not just an extraordinary athlete, but an extraordinary member of the Spartans family.

“We’ve very proud of the things that she’s done,” Budd said. “Academically, she’s in the National Honors Society, and a lot of people don’t know she’s an accomplished saxophone player. She’s phenomenal. Everything she does, she does really, really well, and she does it effortlessly. Everything she puts her mind to seems to come naturally to her.”

In signing with Northeastern, Suse officially committed to a Division 1 program that finished second in Colonial Athletic Association Championships, 11th at New England and 19th at the ECAC Championships in 2014. The school also ranks in the top-50 in U.S. News and World Report’s list of top national colleges and universities.

 “[At Northeastern] I’ll be able to double-major in psychology and criminal justice, which is the biggest thing for me, but I also really like the location right in Boston. I think their campus is beautiful,” Suse said. “The official visit at Northeastern really cemented [my decision] because the team was really nice. I felt I was already part of the team and the coaches were always keeping in touch.”
    Suse set the Western Massachusetts indoor track and field high jump record this year, leaping 5 feet, 6 inches. Her average jump of approximately 5 feet, 4 inches, was gold-level qualifying for USA Track and Field Nationals, Budd explained. At the New England Championships on Feb. 27, she placed 19th.

This spring, she’s going for the outdoor record, which is 5 feet, 6 ¼ inches, currently owned by Budd’s daughter, and hopes to win the All-State Championships.

“Last year it came down to a jump-off. She almost won the state championship,” Budd said.

Suse and Budd both reflected on the amount of progress she has made in her six seasons with Spartan track.

“I’ve definitely grown a lot since freshman year; I only jumped [four feet, two inches] in my first meet,” Suse said.

Budd said a large part of her growth can be attributed to the fact that beyond her physical abilities, she has an attitude that sets her apart.

“The next day after [setting the indoor high jump record], instead of resting on her laurels, what she did is she came to the meet and she worked with our freshman high-jumpers and helped them achieve a higher level of success,” Budd said. “She set another school record at the State Class Relays with one of those freshmen in the relay for the high jump and got first place. She’s the kind of person who’s very giving of herself for her team.”

He added, “She’s a self-motivated athlete. She went to Nationals last year without any help from myself or any of the coaches and she ended up finishing 22nd in the country. At Northeastern, she’s going to be phenomenal because she is a self-starter.”

PAIGE GOING TO NORTHEASTERN

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Girls Track And Field, Girls Winter Track

East Longmeadow high jumper Paige Suse signs NLI to compete at Northeastern

Paige Suse signs her NLI while surrounded by her teammates. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

By Kevin Dillon | kdillon@masslive.com
on February 27, 2015 11:50 AM, updated February 27, 2015 12:27 PM

When East Longmeadow high jumper Paige Suse signed her national letter of intent to compete in Division I track and field at Northeastern University, it was something that East Longmeadow coach Michael Budd had never been a part of.

Sure, Budd had sent his track athletes off to compete at the collegiate level before. But being able to celebrate it at the school with Suse’s family and teammates was a fun experience for everyone involved.

“It was cool having all of my teammates there and my parents and my grandma,” Suse said. “It was really exciting. I was nervous because I wasn’t sure what to say, but it all went well.”

Suse, a captain of the East Longmeadow track team, is the most accomplished indoor high jumper in Western Mass. history, according to Budd, and still has her final outdoor season to go. She jumped a PVIAC record 5’ 6’’ earlier this season and will be competing in the New England Championships Friday.

Suse competed at New Balance Nationals last season as well. For a girl who is only 5’ 8’’, her results have been extra impressive.

“All of the other girls in the high jump are well over 6-feet,” Budd said of her competition at the All-State level. “She is the only one who is 5-foot-8. I can’t teach height, I’m sorry, I can’t make people taller, but I just thought it was ironic that she beats a lot of people who are a lot taller than her in stature, but she goes right after them as if they are just another competitor.”

Suse has come a long way since when she first competed as a freshman. She only jumped 4’ 2’’ on her first jump attempt, and now consistently jumps at least a foot higher than that. It was that freshman year that she knew she wanted to compete at the collegiate level.

“Since freshman year I have wanted to do it,” Suse said. “That is what I have been working toward all this time.”

Suse only applied to two schools — the University of Vermont and Northeastern. She contacted the Northeastern coaching staff early in the year, which led to her connecting with the coach and going on an official visit.

“I just really liked the location right in Boston,” Suse said. “When I went on my official visit, the team was so welcoming and all of the coaches always kept in touch. That cemented it.”

While Suse is only set to high jump at Northeastern, she has shown the capability to be flexible in the events besides the high jump. She has hurdled, run relays and done the pole vault among other things at East Longmeadow to help the team pick up points.

“She has the capability of doing well in virtually anything she tries,” Budd said. “She has diversified her abilities, but high jumping is her thing. … She will do whatever it takes for us to win.”

Budd said he is very happy to have been able to coach her during her time at East Longmeadow.

“She is a hard worker, and certainly one of the best kids I have had,” Budd said. “I’ll tell you, ten years from now, she will probably be going into the hall of fame for our school.”

SOMETHING NOT ALWAYS SEEN

BUT, PRETTY DARN IMPORTANT! FORGIVE THE REFLECTION!

THUS FAR 12 NEW INDOOR RECORDS WERE SET IN 2014-1015 SEASON

Abby "Hammer" Laughlin

Led by the Hammer, records were set this season at a "record" pace.

Here is a listing of the team records set along with one freshman record. Actual performances shall be  listed once the season is over. We still have the All-State Championships with school record holder and Nationally ranked Paige Suse high jumping, then Alexandra Strelnitskaya has one more opportunity to break her record in the Weight Throw in March.

Mile Run

Two Mile Run

1000 Meter Run

High Jump

Sprint Medley

Distance Medley

Weight Throw

Team Pentathlon

800 Meter Run

Shot Put - Freshman Record

High Jump Relay

Shot Put Relay

Not a bad showing for a non- team championship season.

TEAM PENTATHLON RECORD/DRIVE

The old record of 2938 points was beaten yesterday at the Team Pentathlon.

The old record was held by some of the all-time greats at our school including: Ali McMahon, Kayla Rybacki, Liann Simonds, and Julia Weithofer. 

This group of Paige Suse, Abby Laughlin, Elisabeth Cooke, Lauren Champigny and Kayla Fraser outscored some of OUR legends.

2960 POINTS!

Incredible!

We are holding a can and bottle drive Friday at the High School starting at either 9 or 10 AM. Please help us raise some really necessary money!

Thanks

A LONG TIME AGO IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY!

BEFORE BUDD WAS THE OLD SLOW COACH, HE WAS ACTUALLY QUITE FAST!
NOW YOU HAVE SOME PROOF!

WINTERFEST

Thus far, here is what we have via e-mail: 

ashley corcoran: 300 and 600 
abby laughlin: mile and 4 x 800 (if we have one) 
abby rate: two mile and 4 x 800 (if we have one) 
shannon kennedy: 600 
kay laughlin: mile and 4 x 800 (if we have one) 
lily russo: shot put, 300 
stephanie maciorowski: 300 (possible relay) 
madeline stankiewicz: 300 (no 200 indoors) 
paige suse: high jump 
alanna lomascolo; long jump, 300 
maria westcott: long jump(?) 

UPDATE: 
tia westcott: shot put 
kayla fraser: long jump, hurdles 
elisabeth cooke: shot put 
kharynah besaw: shot put 
morgan voight: hurdles and (4 x 800) 
jill o'toole: 1000
alexa lafond: 55 

CROSS COUNTRY 2003: FLASHBACK

In 2003, the Wickham Park cake-eaters secured second place in the tournament. How many of these runners can you identify from that 2003 Cross Country team?

There were some INTERESTING characters on that team...

DUCK RACES VIDEO 2014

MR. SUNTER

Folks, a tragedy occurred this past year in that Bryan Sunter was killed in an auto accident ( I believe) in West Springfield. I knew Bryan as a "free spirit". I did not know him well, but he made his presence known on the Boys Cross Country team.

Bryan's Dad, Ed is holding a fund raising Golf tournament and dinner this Friday to raise money for a Cross Country scholarship in his son's name.

I have known Mr. Sunter for a long time and he's truly one of the "good guys". I give him enormous credit for wanting to put together this endeavor that shall benefit an East Longmeadow Boy and Girl affiliated with the Cross Country team.

WATER BOTTLE CHALLENGE

Our own Catherine Merton is putting on a Road Race this Saturday at the High School in order to help install a Hydration Station at the school. Please show up and support her! She is working towards her Gold Award in the Girl Scouts.

Race starts at 8:30AM (registration at 7:30). 

Please join us in supporting her endeavor!

CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE IS POSTED/INDOOR ALSO

The Fall Cross Country schedule is now on the web site. There are a lot of meets listed and many that we shall not be attending, but we can discuss ( along with the Boys team) where we might be best suited to attend.

There are some dates for Indoors without opponents. That portion of the schedule has not been published yet, but we know we have a Thursday meet listed.

2015 DESTINATION

FINALLY!

NEWS RELEASE

Prohibition of Jewelry Lifted in High School Track and Field

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   Contact: Becky Oakes

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 14, 2014) — Effective with the 2015 high school track and field season, the prohibition of jewelry will be eliminated. This was one of several rules changes recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Track and Field Rules Committee at its June 16-18 meeting in Indianapolis. The committee’s recommendations were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Becky Oakes, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Track and Field Rules Committee, said the committee determined that prohibiting jewelry in high school track and field and cross country is not necessary.

“The wearing of jewelry ordinarily presents little risk of injury to either the competitor or opponents,” Oakes said. “Elimination of the rule allows officials to focus on meet administration directly related to actual competition. Coaches continue to have the obligation to see that competitors are properly equipped.”

In other changes, language regarding the time limit to initiate a trial in the throwing and jumping events was revised. Previously, competitors in these events had to initiate a trial and carry it to completion within one minute. Beginning next year, participants must only initiate the trial within the one-minute time limit. Completion of the event will be allowed beyond the prescribed time.

Another change was made in field events involving implements. In events such as the shot put, discus, javelin and pole vault, an additional trial will be allowed when an implement breaks – and thus becomes illegal – during competition due to no fault of the competitor.

The revised note in Rules 6-2-17 and 7-2-17 reads as follows: “If a legal implement breaks during an attempt in accordance with the rules, no penalty shall be counted against the competitor and a replacement trial shall be awarded. If the implement breaks upon completion of the trial, a replacement attempt shall not be awarded and the results of the trial shall be recorded, provided it was made in accordance with the rules.”

In the discus throw, it no longer will be a foul if a competitor is out of control when exiting the back half of the circle. Also, in the discus, shot put and javelin, the requirement for the judge to call “mark” was eliminated.

Another change involves the high jump and pole vault events. A new article in Rule 7-2 will state that “a crossbar displaced by a force disassociated with the competitor after he/she is legally and clearly over the crossbar shall not be a fault and is considered a successful attempt.”

In Rule 8 involving special events, the committee approved the 1,500-meter run as an alternate for the 1,600-meter run in the decathlon and pentathlon. Oakes said when using the IAAF standard scoring, the 1,500-meter run is the standard distance. In addition, the indoor weight throw was approved for the listing of special events.

The final change involves Rule 1-4 on indoor track. Since many indoor meets are held in college facilities, the committee approved the 60-meter high hurdles and dash as alternates for the 55-meter high hurdles and dash. Oakes said this option eliminates special marking of the facilities for the hurdles and dash.

Track and field is the second-most popular sport for boys with 580,672 participants in 16,001 schools and is the No. 1 sport for girls with 472,939 participants in 15,962 schools during the 2012-13 season, according to the NFHS Athletics Participation Survey.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

PAIGE SUSE FINISHED 22nd IN THE NATION!

NEW OUTDOOR CHAMPION

Half Dolla Holla taking the 400 low hurdles at the Western Mass. Championships!!!!!!!

ALL WESTERN MASS INDOOR TEAM 2014

FIRST TEAM

SHANNON KENNEDY
2013 Frank Dutille Award Winner and Western Mass. Champion in the 300 Meter Dash. Shannon currently holds the school record in the 400 meter dash.

PAIGE SUSE
Holds Western Mass. Indoor record in the High Jump and was formerly State Champion in same event. Competed at the National Championships this past season

GABRIELLA WEITHOFER
Two time defending champion in the Long Jump. School record holder in the 4 x 200 relay. Gabby anchored the 4 x 400 meter relay in 2013 that won the Championship for us Indoors.


SECOND TEAM

ABIGAIL LAUGHLIN
Established a new school record this year in the Indoor mile. Currently holds the Freshman record in the 600 Meter Dash.


REBECCA VARNEY
Number one seed in the 55 High Hurdles and has participated in both the Hurdles and the Long Jump at the State Meet.

RECENT RANKINGS

Paige Suse, Abby Laughlin and Shannon Kennedy are ALL US Elite Second team performers.

Paige at 5' 5" in the High Jump is ranked #5 in the State
Abby at 1:42.90 in the 600 dash is ranked #69 in the State
Shannon at 43.15 in the 300 dash is ranked #51 in the State.
also
Our 4 by 200 relay team is ranked 31st in the State out of 755.
Our 4 by 400 relay team is ranked 45th in the State out of 777.
Gabby Weithofer is ranked 14th in the State in the Long Jump out of 1,626.
Becca Varney is ranked 26th in the State in the High Hurdlers out of 3,234.
Kylie Casey is ranked 101st in the State in the 55 Dash out of 4,796.

BRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This weather disrupts our training, but not our competitions.

SATURDAY: Winter Classic at Springfield College. The cost for those attending is $5 per person per event. If you have not signed up already, you are simply not competing, but you can go.

Departure time is 7:30 from the High School.

Bedell - Shot put. Champigny - Hurdles and 55 Dash. Cooke- Shot put. Kennedy - High jump and 300.
Maciorowski - Shot put and 300. Nault - 600. Reilly - 55 Dash. Stone - Mile. Varney - Long jump, 55 Dash and Hurdles. Weithofer - Long jump and High jump. Westcott - Shot put. Williams - 55 and 300 Dash.

Each of you shall be e-mailed this information. Julia Stone is collecting the money for this event.

I am looking into holding practice for everyone else later in the day at the High School in preparation for the Freshman/Sophomore Championships on SUNDAY.

SUNDAY - Freshman/Sophomore Championships at Reggie Lewis Center. The cost for attending is $6 per person. I have already distributed the lists, but here are the names for the record.

Bedell - Shot put. Beluzo - Long jump, 300, 4 x 200(anchor). Casey - 55, 4 x 200(second leg), Cooke - Shot put. Evans- 2 Mile. Fraser - Hurdles, Long Jump, Alternate on relays. Knight - 3rd leg 4 x 400. Laughlin - 600, 4 x 400(anchor). O'Toole - Mile. Oliver- 1000. Phillips - 55 Dash, Alternate on relay. Richardson - 55 Dash, 4 x 200 (Leadoff). Templeman - Hurdles, Long jump, 4 x 200(3rd leg. Terrell - High jump, 300, 4 x 400(leadoff), Voight - 600, 4 x 400 (2nd leg).

Departure time is slated for 7:00AM, but I must encourage you all to arrive at 6:45 so that we can get underway sooner.

Each of you shall be e-mailed this information. Kayla Fraser is collecting money for this event