Beginning on Wednesday and stretching to Saturday, we’re expecting some intense competition with the MIAA Divisional Championships. The individual and team battles with be fierce with the best of the best competing inside the confines of the Reggie Lewis Center.
Throughout the week, Bay State Running will be providing preview capsules of each division. Here we feature Division 2 girls.
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DIVISION 2 – GIRLS
Day/Time/Place: Thursday, 4:30 p.m., at Reggie Lewis Center
Teams: Algonquin Regional, Arlington, Barnstable, Bay Path, Belmont, Beverly, Bishop Feehan. Bridgewater-Raynham, Catholic Memorial, Chelmsford, Concord-Carlisle, Diman Regional, Essex North Shore Agric. & Tech, Everett, Hingham, Hopkinton, King Philip, Leominster, Lynn English, Malden, Marshfield, Milford, North Andover, North Attleboro, North Quincy, Peabody, Plymouth North, Reading Memorial, Sharon, Springfield Central, Waltham, Wellesley, Westborough, Winchester, Woburn
Events To Watch: In the history of the state, 11 runners have broken 2 minutes, 50 seconds for the 1,000-meter run. While it might be somewhat of a long shot, we think it’s possible we could have a dozen with Plymouth North’s Macey Shriner in the field. It’s just that kind of season for the Eages’ senior. In the last six weeks, Shriner has registered PRs in the 300m (40.23), 400m (55.89), 600m (1:31.75), 800m (2:11.79), and mile (4:58.17). With that kind of range, how can you not think it’s possible. Shriner goes into the race with a best of 2:56.23, which she did to win a league competition in mid January by 16 seconds. Based on the fact that she’s only entered in the 1K, we predict she’ll go for broke in this one. Her top rival on Thursday is Wellesley’s Madeline Tuxbury, who has a seed of 3:03.40….You don;t want to miss the 55m dash and the 55m hurdles. Those are the events that Sharon’s gifted junior Nina Kyei-Aboagye has entered. With a state best of 7.03 for the 55m, it’s possible Kyei-Aboagye could break the seven-second barrier in the short dash. She certainly has the competition to push her with Wellesley’s Annie Comella in field. Comella comes into the race with a best of 7.26. For the 300m, the Sharon standout ranks No. 2 in the state with a PR of 39.87. Right behind is Woburn’s Nicole Gangi at 40.56. This race could come down to the wire…The long jump could get interesting with Comella and Gangi the top two seeds. Comella has a season best of 17-11.5, just a half inch ahead of Gangi. So far this season, seven athletes have gone further than 18 feet. We could have one (or two) more after this competition… Don’t ignore what’s happening inside the cage where shot-putters Brooke Serak of Bishop Feehan and Arlington’s Bella Hayes will be battling for the individual title. Serak ranks No. 2 in the state with a season best of 39-11.5., while Hayes is at No. 3 with a PR of 39-4. Only state-leader Madeline Goncalves of Haverhill has unleashed the metal ball further than 40 feet with a best of 43-0. She could have some company the 40-club after this event.
Team Outlook: Wellesley is the overwhelming favorite to win the team title, accumulating a considerable amount on its points on the oval. Woburn, Bishop Feehan and Sharon are among several teams that could be fighting for a top finish.
