With the season just a few weeks old, Needham’s Greta Hammer earned a significant victory at the Manchester (NH) Invitational this past Saturday.
In the Large School race of the prestigious meet, the Rockets’ talented sophomore hung with the leaders from the start. She then utilized a strong finishing kick at the end to post a triumphant 18 minutes, 28.6 seconds for the difficult 5K terrain of Derryfield Park. Hammer had consistent splits, opening up with a 6:02.7 at the mile mark and passing through the second mile at 12:20.8.
(Above photo courtesy of NHXCTF (nh.staterunning.net)
As a team, Needham was fourth among the 26 schools that toed the line with 152 points. Pre-meet favorite and perrennial powerhouse Champlain Valley (VT) earned the team plaque with 48 points. Comprising the scoring for Needham was Hammer, Taylor Partridge (24th, 20:13.1), Eva Adam (28th, 20:22.4). Audrey Adams (34th, 20:27.9), and Sienna Uyenoyama (68th, 21:41.3). Janine Urban (81st, 21:59.6) and Mia ONeill (94th, 22:14.3) also placed well among the 172 finishers.
