New Orleans, LA --- WPI women's track and field's Sydney Packard (Georgetown, MA) was named the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) East Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year in addition to Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Brian Chabot announced as the Women's Assistant Coach of the Year on Tuesday.
Packard currently ranks fifth in NCAA Division III in the 800 meters at 2:09.80 that was recently posted at the NEICAAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in mid-May clinching a trip to her fifth outdoor NCAA Championship and ninth overall. Packard claimed the 800-meter crown at the 2023 NEWMAC Track & Field Championships followed by taking home the 1,500-meter title at the New England DIII Outdoor Championships where she closed out the winning DMR crew.
The veteran mid-distance runner is an eight-time All-America with four of the honors stemming from outdoor performances and three within the 800-meter event. In addition, Packard posted a school record 4:29.32 time in the 1,500 meter at the New England DIII Outdoor Championships marking 13 overall in NCAA DIII but will bow out of championship competition in the event to focus on the 800m.
This year's honor marks the second East Region Track Athlete of the Year nod for Packard with the first coming following the indoor season in 2019-20.
Packard will take on the 800 Meter Prelims at 6:45pm on Friday, May 26th, on the second day 2023 NCAA DIII Outdoor Track & Field Championships at St. John Fisher with the finals scheduled for 3pm on Saturday, May 27th.
Chabot, in his 14th year with the Crimson and Gray coached four student-athletes to event titles at the 2023 NEWMAC Championships in addition to a pair of individual champions at the New England DIII Outdoor Championships. His 800 and 1,500 groups top the East Region and rank seventh nationally with the steeplechase crew checking in at second in the region and 12th in the country including top-five region rankings, including the top spot in the 800m. The 2023 honor for Chabot marks his fourth for the women's program and seventh overall.