A classic duel in the boys’ 100m hurdles, a sub 4:50 in the girls’ mile, a new state record in the pole vault and plethora of nationally-ranked performances.
Yes, it was a memorable second day at the MIAA Meet of Championship on Saturday.
Continuing his mastery in the pole vault, indoor national champion and state record-holder Jack Vecellio of Frontier soared to a nation No. 6 of 17 feet, 1.5 inches, a PR by more than a half a foot and, more importantly, a new state outdoor mark. Vecellio’s effort broke the previous record of 17-1 by former North Andover star Erick Duffy from the 2017 New Balance Nationals. After clearing 16 feet on his final attempt, Vecellio had the bar moved to the record height where it took him two tries to erase Duffy’s five-year-old record.
Just as we predicted, the 110m hurdles proved to be an exciting matchup for the second year in a row between Winchester’s Easton Tan of Winchester and Jordany Volquez of Lawrence. Just like 2022, Tan was able to get the best of his rival to defend his crown with a PR of 13.92. Volquez was just two hundredths of a second behind in a best of 13.94. Both times rank among the top 25 nationally. Not to be overlooked, Hopkinton’s Sean Golemblewski was third with a PR of 14.24.
Just two days after clocking a three-second best for 800m, Newton South’s Amelia Everett dominated the field in the girls’ mile where she posted a 10-second win over Rory Clare of Wellesley with an all-time best of 4:49.31. Clare, who was also a runner-up to her Everett in the 800m, was timed in 4:59.70. Viv Kane of Newton North was third at 5:03.27.Everett also anchored the Lions to a state-leading 9:25.37 in the 4x800m relay. The remaining quartet was comprised of Lily Bulczynski, Sofia Arboleda, and Molly Johnson. Brookline finished second with a time of 9:30.63.
Less than a second separated the top three teams in one of the more competitive 4x400m relays that state has ever seen. Newton North was just a few strides from breaking 3:20 with the foursome of Jack Tsai, Tyler Tubman, Alex Hrycyszyn and Quincy Scott combining for a triumphant 3:20.17. Taking second and third, respectively, was Lexington in 3:20.46 and Central Catholic at 3:20.77.
Weston (first, 3:56.89) and Wachusett (second, 3:57.17) were both under the magical four-minute mark in the girls’ 4x400m.
South Hadley’s Jonas Clarke blazed to a meet record of 10.40 to capture 100m dash. Clarke, a winner in the 200m on Friday at 21.01, certainly had the field to push him. Finishing second was Division 1 victor Everton Muir of Newton North, who raced to a best of 10.77.
Westford Academy’s Elliana Tweedie made it a sweep of the girls’ sprinting events by capturing the 100m with an all-time best of 12.12. Tweedie, who won the 200m (PR, 24.77) on Thursday, edged Milford’s Kiyanni Simas, who finished at 12.20. Simas won the long jump on Day 1 with an 18-6.5 effort.
Megan Frazee earned three gold medals in the two -day meet. After taking the pentathlon and pole vault on Thursday, the Westford senior was victorious in the 100m hurdles, holding off Concord-Carlisle’s Obi Akyubude by one-hundredth of a second with a fast 14.50 clocking.
In any other year but 2022 and 22 years ago when state record-holder Jeff Chakouian of Seekonk was dominant inside the circle, a throw of more than 60 feet would earn a state title in the shot. In fact, the same could be said about mostly any other state in the country. Not in Massachusetts and not on Sunday. Common rivals Jacob Cookinham of Bishop Stang and Newton North Max Klein put on a show this weekend. Stang was able to pull out the win with a near state mark of 66-2.75. Klein was also a member of the 66-foot club, finishing just 1.25 inches behind with a toss of 66-1.5. With the New England’s this Saturday and the New Balance Nationals the following weekend, Chalouian’s record of 67-10.75 from the 2000 All State Meet could finally be broken.
Nashoba Regional’s Freddy Collins defended his crown in the mile with PR of 4:13.25. St. John’s Prep’s Nathan Lopez, the two-mile winner on Thursday, was second overall in 4:14.14. He was followed closely by Northampton’s Riley Cole, who was timed in 4:14.77 for third. In all, six broke 4:20 in the race.
