Well-rounded student-athlete from Quabbin earns TGN honors for strong senior campaign

Last week, The Gardner News put out a vote to let readers have a say in the winner of The Gardner News Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year. The results of the poll, along with votes of the staff, were combined to decide the winner.

Honorable Mention

The winner of the fan poll was Oakmont's Molly Horgan, who earned 49.97% of the votes. The junior got three fourth place finishes at the Mid-Wach C league meet. She also qualified for states, finishing third in the javelin at the Div. 5 state meet.

TGN Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year

Natalia Marchand of Quabbin came in second in the fan poll with 44.25% and won the staff voting to take the cake as the Athlete of the Year.

The Panthers' senior captain dialed in this season, looking to take herself to the next level. Between training hard every day to doing her own research of her competition to know what to expect against different opponents, she had her head in the game.

"What I noticed about Natalia is her leadership, she leads by example," Quabbin girls track and field coach Jesse Twarog said. "She would always give 100% in training; she would train extra days. She was fully committed to her growth."

Marchand was a Mid-Wach League All-Star and the team MVP of the season. She performed well at the league meet, finishing first in the 400, second in the 200 and long jump and sixth in the high jump.

She qualified for states in six events and placed fourth in the high jump at the Division 5 state meet.

Off the track, Marchand served her school community as a member of a handful of clubs and activities.

From volunteering with the unified basketball team, helping on the soccer sidelines and serving as a member of the National Honor Society, she was sure to keep a busy schedule between sports and service.

"She definitely checked off a lot of those leadership boxes – community involvement and school support," Twarog said.

Marchand will continue her track and field career as a member of the Springfield College women's team for the upcoming 2024-25 season.