A plethora of PRs and season bests and a few new state leaders highlighted Saturday’s MSTCA Coaches Invitational – Small Schools’ meet at Reggie Lewis.
Dennis Yarmouth’s gifted senior Breanna Braham was the meet’s only individual double winner. Braham swept the sprint events with victories in the girls’ 55-meter dash and 300m. The D-Y senior moved to the state’s No. 2 spot in the 55m by clocking a quick 7.17 seconds, just .08 ahead of runner-up Chloe Guthrie of Mansfield. Braham improved on her state-leader in the 300m where she was timed in 39.26.
Cardinal Spellman teammates Annaikah Donahue and Abigail Clark took over the top two positions in the rankings for the triple jump with their 1-2 finish at Saturday’s competition, Donahue leaped a winning 35 feet, 9.5 inches. Clark was close behind, taking second at 35-7.5. The two sophomores are among four that have gone further than 35 feet this season.
Lavender Kozaka, a tenth-grader from Oliver Ames, moved to No. 1 in the long jump. The silver medalist at last spring’s Meet of Champions, soared to an indoor best of 18-3.75.
Giuliana Ligor of North Reading beat a talented field to capture the 600m with a season best of 1:35.47. Ligor, the defending MOC titlist, was three-plus seconds ahead of Whitinsville Christian’s Emma Wierenga, who was second at 1:38.78.
In a battle between the MA’s top two 4x200m squads, Duxbury emerged victorious over state-leader Amherst-Pelham. The Dragons’ foursome of Gabriella Fisher, Riley Erale, Liv Coperine and Lauren Sutliffe combined for a winning 1:46.88, their second straight sub 1:47 of the season. Amherst-Pelham was second at 1:47.24, followed by third-place finisher Milton in 1:47.36.
For the boys, Ayer Shirley’s Cole New became the state’s third runner under 1:23 for the 600m, winning an expected close race with a PR of 1:22.59, an effort that puts him at No. 3 in the rankings. New held off challenges from Bishop Stang’s Michael Veegh and fellow teammate Nicolas Lisle, who were second and third, respectively, with times in 1:23.09 and 1:23.65.
Danvers went 1-2 in the two mile with senior William Conklin breaking the tape in a solid 9:23.13. The Falcons’ JJ Rooney secured runner-up honors with a time of 9:39.45.
Norwell’s Noah Mulligan was the fastest in the 300m. The Clippers speedy senior led four under 36 seconds with a time of 35.26. Finishing close behind were Nashoba Regional’s Jacob Sutt (second, 35.37), Pembroke’s Gabe Lamar (third, 35.40) and Walpole’s Brady Thomas (fourth, 35.55). Mulligan also ran a leg on Norwell’s triumphant 4x400m squad. The quartet, which also included Sam Pesko, Brody McVay and Griffin Murphy, combined for a time of 3:28.45. Right behind were Milton (second, 3:29.43) and Old Rochester (third, 3:30.75).
