Fitter had a fantastic meet for the Owls, not only winning the 600-meter (1:38.13) and 1,000 (3:03.00) races, but also running the anchor leg of Keene State's 4x800 and 4x400 relays. Fitter came from seven seconds back to give KSC the win in the 4x800 relay (9:56.23) over Southern Maine. "I just put my head down and went for the win," said Fitter. "I was running on adrenaline."
However, Fitter was unable to overcome a larger lead by USM in the 4x400 relay. KSC ended up fourth with a time of 4:14.34, enabling the Huskies to secure enough points to defeat the Owls 172-168 and capture their 14th overall and 13th consecutive title.
"We almost did it," said KSC Coach Peter Thomas. We knew it was going to be close. It was a valiant effort by everyone."
Keene State has finished second at the championships 12 times.
Lacking the depth to make a run at the men's championships, Keene State turned in some strong performances to finish third with 97 points. Southern Maine also won the men's title with 213 points.
In addition to Fitter, senior Janel Haggerty (Guilford, Conn.) had a productive meet for KSC. Haggerty won the 55-meter hurdles with a LEC record time of 8.46. She also won the high jump (5'-04.25") and placed third in the long jump (16'-10.00).
Other first-place finishes for KSC included sophomore Kait Wheeler (Exeter, N.H.) in the mile (5:14.07), freshman Lauren Markoe (Lagrangeville, N.Y.) in the 800 (2:19.87), freshman Samantha Goldsmith (Derry, N.H.) in the 3,000 (10:52.52) and junior Marie Whitney (Jaffrey, N.H.) in the 5,000 (18:50.72).
In throwing events, senior Whitney Cyr (Milford, Mass.) finished second in the weight throw with a PR of 44'-11.00, while junior Sarah DiTonno (Wakefield, Mass.) placed third in the shot put (36'-02.75").
Senior Thomas Paquette (Bolton, Conn.) and junior Ryan Widzgowski (Camden, Maine) posted the lone wins for Keene State in the men's competition. Paquette won the 3,000 (8:48.77) while Widzgowski came from behind to finish first in the 1,000 (2:34.20). Widzgowski also placed third in the 600 (1:23.49).
In other races, freshman Mark Rabasco (Pittsfield, Mass.) was second in the 5,000 (16:06.71) and senior Chris Plankey (Bristol, N.H.) was third in the 800 (2:03.35).
Junior Jay Borden (Keene, N.H.) and freshman Hayden Patterson (Dover, N.H.) joined Widzgowski and Plankey to win the 4x800 relay (8:06.22).
In throwing events, sophomore Ben Keach (Newfield, N.H.) finished second in the shot put (45'-06.25") and third in the weight throw (45'-10.00").
