Talk about going out on a high note. Hannah Grudzien ’25 … wow!

In her first season of track at Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Hannah won two events and placed second in another at the New England Prep School Track Association Division III Championships at Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts, on May 17.

Hannah’s efforts led the Titans to a third-place finish among the 27 teams at the final meet of the spring season. She won the javelin with a school-record throw of 121 feet, 8 inches, as well as the shot put with a heave of 35-5.5. She placed second in the discus with a toss of 100-8.

Quotes from Hannah 

On what she was hoping to accomplish going into the New England championships: “I was just hoping to just go out there and give it my all. Last track meet of my high school career, just have fun and see what the outcome is.”

On her performance at the New England championships: “I thought my performance was great. I was shocked as much as everyone else who was there. I wasn’t expecting to throw as far as I did from the beginning to end. My adrenaline worked in the best way it could of."

On her track season overall: “My track season has been fun experience, coming back after two years I couldn’t ask for a better season. Everyone made it a great experience. They helped me and cheered me on every day to become better. They were the best support system I could ask for.” 

Quotes from Coach Danielle Vartabedian

Regarding Hannah’s meet: “Hannah had an outstanding meet. She started off with javelin and immediately re-broke her (school) record by throwing 117 feet and then surpassing that again with 121 feet, winning the javelin by four feet and securing 10 points for her team. Her next event was the discus, where we knew she was seeded second and would have some tough competition. She threw just under a foot from her best, and secured second place for eight points. Her final event was the shot put, where she had her best throw and beat out second by a foot securing another 10 points toward the team total. At the end of the meet, all the D3 coaches meet and vote on a meet MVP. Another team's coach voted for Hannah, which rarely happens! We’re very proud of her.”

On team team’s performance at the Division III championships: “The team was in first place going into the last event, the 4x400, which we were excited about because we stacked it with our fastest sprinters. Even though we placed and ran well, Groton and Montrose beat us and edged us out of first by three and five points. Everyone exceeded expectations, getting PR performances and winning 11 medals, even with prom the night before and missing our fastest sprinter. They were all very proud of themselves and very happy to bring home another plaque.”

On the team finishing the regular season undefeated: “The girls team finished a third undefeated season (11-0). They are so blessed with talent and depth, grit and determination, it makes coaching them exciting and rewarding.”

NEPSTA Division III results (top 6)

WMA Girls

Hannah Grudzien ’25: javelin, 1^st, 121-8; shot put, 1^st, 35-5.5; discus, 2^nd, 100-8

Adrianna Chechile ’26: 400, 3^rd, 59.24; 200, 4^th, 26.06; long jump, 4^th, 16-1

Caitlin Stratton ’26: pole vault, 4^th, 7-6

Genevieve Tremblay ’26: javelin, 5^th, 95-2

4x400: 5^th, 4:23.52

WMA Boys

Freddy Shubrick ’27: 200, 4^th, 23.17; 100, 6^th, 11.40

Gabe Cruz ’25: pole vault, 2^nd, 11-0

4x400: 6^th, 3:40.51