It was an unbelievable night for University of New Haven senior Shannon Gagne.
Gagne captured the NCAA Division II title in the 200 and 400 meters in the outdoor track and field championships at Turlock, Calif. Saturday night.
Gagne, of Meriden, completed the 400 meters race in 53.62 seconds. Gagne later won the 200 meters in 23.43.
“I just did everything I was taught,” Gagne said. “I tried to stay focused and relaxed throughout the race and it worked. I feel very blessed and thankful. It’s very humbling.”
The meet was run in a steady rain which didn’t faze Gagne one bit.
“This is what we train in everyday in New Haven,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of meets in the rain so this was just another one.”
It was Gagne’s first two national titles in the outdoor season.
She won three NCAA indoor titles and earned National Athlete of the Year honors.
She is also competing in the long jump and then looking to move onto the open national championships later in the summer.
“I’m just taking it day by day,” Gagne said. “After graduation I want to try to make it to the U.S. Championships.”