What better way to keep our content flowing here at Bay State Running than to recognize the top moments of the outdoor track season of 2023. Over the next few weeks, BSR will highlight some of the finer performances by our track & field athletes. Congratulations to all our athletes. If you didn’t make our list, it doesn’t mean you were forgotten. Your hard work and dedication certainly made it another memorable season as a whole for us here at BSR.
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Memorable Moments, 2023: Haagensen Vaults To No. 2 All Time
It was quite the season for pole-vaulter Melinda Haagensen. The Westborough senior, who is bound for Colgate University in the fall, cleared 12 feet five times during the outdoor campaign. She capped off the year with victories at the Meet of Champions and the New England Championships and then earned All American honors at the New Balance Nationals in mid June where she placed fourth overall with a height of 12 feet, 5.5 inches. But the best of them all for the Ranger s’senior occurred on May 25 at the MIAA Division 3 Championship. It was there that Haagensen cleared 12-7 to put her No. 2 on the all-time list for MA athletes. Only state record-holder and Weston alum Samantha Shepard has gone higher with her best of 13-0.75 from 2001.