NORWELL HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Karen Phillips - Class of 1988
While attending Norwell High School, Karen establishedherself as the premier jumper and hurdler in New England. During her junior and senior years, Karen won three all-state championships in track and field: two in the long jump and one in the 300-meters run. She was also the New England champion in these same events that year. Her record jump of 19’5” stands as the third best jump ever in Massachusetts. Karen also led off Norwell’s winning mile relay team and was the State Pentathlon Champ in her first attempt.
In 1988, Karen made the Boston Globe All-Scholastic Outdoor Track Team in the long jump in 1987 and 1988 and was named the Boston Globe Athlete of the Year in 1988. She was also an accomplished pianist and gymnast.Upon graduation, Karen attended Boston University on a full athletic track scholarship. An All-American and former Junior National record holder, Karen ranked among the nation’s top collegiate jumpers during the late 80’s and early 90’s. As a freshman at Boston University, Karen collected All- American honors at the 1989 Outdoor NCAA Championships in the triple jump and later won the TAC Junior National Championship in the event with a meet record leap of 41’10 ½”. Her accomplishments earned her a spot on the US Junior National team, where she won the triple jump at the 1989 World Games. Later that summer, she also represented the United States at the Pan Am Games. She continued to shine throughout her Boston University career and qualified for 3 additional NCAA Championships. In 1992, she received the Mildred Barnes Award presented annually to the University’s Outstanding Female Athlete.
Karen was inducted into the Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.Following graduation from Boston University, Karen earned her MBA from Curry College is currently employed as a Senior Management Analyst for the City of Cambridge. She resides in Randolph, Massachusetts with her husband Jean and son Andrew.