Courtesy Westfield State Sports Information

Westfield State College's Sean O'Brien has been named the New England Division III Women's Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) recently announced.

The USTFCCCA selects the top track athlete, field athlete, and coach for the eight regions in Division III track and field.

O'Brien led the Westfield State women's team to its third consecutive MASCAC indoor track and field title in 2009. The team also finished second in the New England Alliance championships and 12th in the New England Division III championships.

Two of O'Brien's athletes qualified for the NCAA Division III national championships. Senior Marlee Berg won the national high jump championship and also competed in the pentathlon, placing 12th. Junior Kerry Arouca just missed All-America honors by placing ninth in the 5,000 meter run.

"The (coach of the year) award is nice but I would take a national champion or a conference team championship any day," said O'Brien.

O'Brien has been the Westfield State women's and men's head coach for 10 years. His women's team have won nine consecutive MASCAC outdoor and three straight MASCAC indoor championships.

He has guided the men's team to nine straight MASCAC and New England Alliance outdoor titles. The men's team finished 10th in the New England outdoor championships in 2008 and 2007 and fifth in 2006.