For the next few weeks, MileSplit MA will feature some of our top individuals this outdoor track & field season in our Athletes To Watch series. Who are the athletes that should make an impact this spring? We'll do our best to let you know.
Athletes to Watch: Rachel Sessa, Tewksbury Memorial
Over the last two years, the Redmen senior has been one of our state's most consistent top finisher in the middle-to-long distance events with a handful of strong placements at high-level meets. The one thing Sessa is missing from her resume is an individual title at the All State Championships. With her final season of high school track now here, this could be the time she does it. The Tewskbury standout is our top returner in the 800-meter run and the mile with PRs of 2:10 and 4:51, respectively. She's also has clocked 10:39 for two miles. Sessa's best bet for gold may come in the 800m. This past winter, Sessa capped off another successful season on the indoor surface at the New England Championships where she blazed to a more than two-second best of 2:52.97 for 1,000m, good for third overall. Her time ranked No. 2 in the state behind Newton South's Lucy Jenk's second-place effort of 2:51.82 at the New England's. Just like last year, Jenks will not compete this outdoor season, focusing on her club soccer team. That would appear to make Sessa the favorite for the two-lapper. But don't count her out of the mile, too. In addition, Sessa is also a key member of the Redmen's relay squads, most notably the 4x400m and 4x800m squads.