There were high expectations for Toll Gate’s Erika Pena heading into the Indoor Track State Championships on Saturday at the Providence Career and Technical Academy.
As the workhorse for the …
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There were high expectations for Toll Gate’s Erika Pena heading into the Indoor Track State Championships on Saturday at the Providence Career and Technical Academy.
As the workhorse for the Titans, the senior had led her team in several events throughout the year, but she had gone undefeated in her best event – the 55-meter hurdles.
Entering Saturday as the favorite to win, Pena certainly didn’t disappoint, winning the state championship in convincing fashion.
For Pena, the title symbolized all of the hard work that she had put in over her four years at Toll Gate.
“It feels amazing to be the 55-meter hurdles state champion,” Pena said after her win. “I’ve been working really hard ever since I got third at outdoor last year. My dream pretty much came true.”
Pena’s coach Norm Bouthillier couldn’t have been happier for his senior and was pleased with the way she handled the pressure of being the favorite.
“It was awesome,” Bouthillier said of Pena’s state championship performance. “The whole season has been waiting for this moment, really. She has been undefeated all year and you don’t want to lose for the first time at the state meet.”
Pena also achieved a new personal record with her title-clinching time of 8.64.
“We’ve really been working on her starts and being aggressive to the first hurdle,” Bouthillier said. “Today was perfect – she ran her best time ever.”
Amidst all of the pressure surrounding her, Pena was able to stay focused and achieve her top goal.
“There was a lot of pressure on me throughout the entire season,” Pena said. “Because I was number one, I just really wanted to win the state meet – that was the most important.”
Pena will look to continue her storybook season with a high finish at New England’s on Friday at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, Mass.
“I’m just going to go into New England’s with an open mindset,” Pena said.
There’s no question that Pena will enjoy her state title, no matter what happens at New England’s.
“It has been a goal of hers all year to win,” Bouthillier said. “Not only did she win, but she had a great time. It meant a lot.”
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