Springfield, MA --- The WPI men's and women's track and field teams opened competition at the New England Division III Championships on Friday, highlighted by a pair of All-New England performances and multiple qualifiers advancing to Saturday's finals.
 
Sophomore Drew O'Reilly (Syracuse, NY) led the Engineers with a runner-up finish in the 5000 meters, crossing in 15:14.96 to earn All-New England honors and put WPI on the board. Junior Matt Richards (Peabody, MA) also garnered All-New England recognition with a third-place finish in the javelin, recording a throw of 54.90 meters.
 
WPI's sprint group advanced multiple athletes to the finals of the 100 meters. Senior Alex Cole (Weymouth, MA) and junior Sam Manteria (Wilbraham, MA) each won their respective heats in 10.75, sitting second and third overall, respectively, while sophomore Justin Serrecchia (Lakeville, MA) qualified with a time of 10.86 to finish sixth overall in the prelims. On the women's side, graduate student Vivienne Evans (Newtown Square, PA) advanced to the final of the 100 meters, posting a time of 12.40 to place seventh overall.
 
Freshman Aloiye Okhipo (Milford, MA) also moved on to Saturday's finals in the 110-meter hurdles, qualifying with a time of 15.09. Freshman Addison Collins (Tyngsboro, MA) competed in the 100-meter hurdles, finishing in 15.57.
 
The women's heptathlon also got underway on Friday, with sophomore Caetlyn Embree (Sherborn, MA) sitting in fifth place after four events with 2,211 points. Senior Lauren Coutu (Baldwinville, MA) is eighth with 2,137 points, highlighted by a personal-best throw of 10.13 meters in the shot put, while sophomore Emma Conway (Suffield, CT) is 10th with 1,925 points.
 
In the field events, senior Brett Gerlach (Lock Haven, PA) placed 14th in the long jump with a mark of 6.60 meters, while freshman Ella Stone (Branford, CT) finished 16th with a jump of 5.09 meters.
 
Wrapping up the action on day one, sophomore Jackson Sobelman (Redding, CT) placed 21st in the 10,000 meters with a time of 34:14.33.
 
Action continues at Springfield on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. beginning with the multi events.
 
Results