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Shrewsbury’s Ashlyn Derosier shines in the 55-meter hurdles

and also contributes in the high jump, shot put and relays.

(T&G Staff File/TOM RETTIG)

Friday, December 7, 2007
Talented Derosier does it all for Colonials
By Rick Eggleston CORRESPONDENT

If there’s one thing Shrewsbury High senior Ashlyn Derosier has always been, it’s versatile.
A starter on the recently crowned Central Mass. Division 1 champion and state finalist girls’ soccer team, when asked

her position on the field, Derosier’s response was “forward, but pretty much everywhere.”
So it came as no surprise when she was quizzed about her many roles on the Colonials’ indoor track team, a total of four

events were named.An accomplished 55-meter hurdler —Derosier is the two-time defending Central Mass. Division 1

champ and school record holder (8.7 seconds) in the event — high jumper and member of the Colonials’ 800 relay team,

her newest venture this season will be the shot put, an event she’s quickly grown to like.
“She’s just a talented athlete,” Shrewsbury coach Jay Costa said. “We had her throw the shot a couple of times last year,

and she was consistently hitting 29, 30 feet.”
Now that she’ll be relied on to consistently throw for the Colonials, Derosier — a four-time T&G All-Star in soccer,

indoor (twice) and outdoor track — said that she’s up for the challenge. She’s also set to win her third consecutive

district title in the 55 hurdles, which thanks to the soccer team’s extended postseason run, gave her only a week

break between seasons.
No problem.
“It was nice, because last year I had three weeks before track started and it was hard to get motivated,” Derosier said.

“This year, with it only being a week, it’s not as tough.”
If anything, Derosier enters conditioned and in shape as she looks to make school history in the hurdles, where

she’s also the three-time Mid-Wach A champion.
“I think so, there’s some pressure,” she said. “Every meet, everybody wants to take out the top dog.”
Costa agrees, and feels that if there’s anyone suited to handle the pressure, it’s Derosier, a fierce competitor

who’s determined to win — in sickness or in health.
Such was the case last February, when Derosier, her body battling pneumonia, made the decision to run in the

district championship meet.
“I didn’t want her to run, but she was determined. She didn’t want to let herself or her team down,” Costa said.

“It was hard to watch, but she did it. She defended her title.”
Derosier remembers the meet well, as it, coupled with her first district title as a sophomore two years ago, ranks as her most memorable sports moment.
“I definitely knew it wasn’t going to be my best race (9.23 seconds), but I figured I’d go and see how I’d do,”

she said. “I collapsed at the end of the final (heat).”
Her grit and determination aside, Derosier has also been known to demonstrate a more humble side, like during

her freshman year when her sister, Amanda, was a senior hurdler on the team.
Rather than kick up a sibling rivalry, Derosier sat back and learned a ton from her big sis.
“She refused to do the hurdles because of (Amanda),” Costa said. “There was some respect there.

We knew Ash was a good enough athlete that she’d pick it right up as a sophomore.”
“My sister had a big impact on me,” Derosier said.
Moving forward, Derosier hasn’t decided whether she’ll play soccer, run track or possibly do both in college.

Among her top choices are UMass-Amherst, Springfield College and Westfield State.
“She’s had a wonderful career on the team and has established herself as a top hurdler in Central Mass.,” Costa said

. “She’s a true talent and a leader on the team.”