It was a meet record and state record.
In what could be Abby Hennessy’s final individual high school race, the Westford Academy senior battled hard in the Championship Mile during Day 3 of New Balance Nationals. Hennessy came up just short of the title – won by Mallory Weller of Cadet Distance Project (IN) – but still mustered a PR performance to to take runner-up honors in 4:33.18.
Weller came on strong down the stretch and powered her way to a PR of 4:31.78. Both were under the meet record of 4:33.67, set by Paige Sheppard of Union Catholic at last year’s meet. Hennessy dipped under her previous best of 4:34.69 from her third-place finish from the 2025 race.
The Westford Academy legend leaves behind one of the best careers the Bay State has ever seen. It includes state records over one mile and two miles, and All-American finishes in all three seasons. While the quest for a national title still eludes her, the journey doesn’t stop. Hennessy will continue her career at the University of Washington, a program that has become known for producing phenomenal milers. There, she will be under the tutelage of former Massachusetts and Stanford standout Maurica Powell. She’s not done yet though, as Westford Academy is set to compete in the DMR Sunday morning.
There was no lack of inspiration for Hennessy as she waited for her heat to be called. Lexington’s Amelia Whorton was in the second to last heat where she battled to a big PR of 4:45.55 to finish 13th overall. In the heat before that, Canton’s Lauren Raffetto ran a PR and cracked 4:50 for the first time, running 4:49.68. Both athletes return next year and have big shoes to fill.
Mohoric Battles the Nation’s Best
Even with a sub four runner in the field, Newburyport’s Michael Mohoric never backed down. He led most of the race and even pushed on the gas without about 600m to go. While he was eventually overtaken with about 300m to go, the future MIT runner stayed strong and finished in fourth with a PR of 4:04.55. Mohoric actually ran his last 800m under 2:00, splitting 1:59.45. After entering the spring with a 4:15 best, Mohoric had an outdoor season for the ages.
In the proceeding heat, Falmouth’s Silas Gartner ran with a mix of guts and patience. Gartner along with Greensboro’s Owen Munn, closed a massive gap on the original leader in the final lap. After Gartner came through 809m in 2:06.92, he had a big final 800m to run 4:09.63 to finish 10th overall. That was his third time under 4:10 this season.
