Forget what the stats say, North Andover ignored all of that and was at its best (and more) in the boys’ competition of the MSTCA Division 2 State Relays.
The Scarlet Knights scored in all 10 events at Saturday’s meet, including victories in the 4×50-yard (22.12 seconds) and shuttle hurdle (26.74) relays, to capture their seventh straight team title. North Andover rolled to a 56-41 win over second-place Hopkinton. Peabody was third with 39 points.
“I am happy with the whole team in general,” said NA coach Jason Guarente. “They stepped up. They were focused all week long. Practice was intense and focused at the same time, and it showed here today.”
On the girls’ side, Wellesley held off defending champion Woburn, 46-41, Hopkinton was third with 34.48 points. The Red Raiders scored in just five events, but earned all big points with victories in the 4x400m (4:06.25), distance medley (12:52.17) and long jump relays and runner-up finishes in the 4x800m (9:43.73) and 4x200m (1:48.93).
“It was just a great effort all around by all the girls,” said WHS head coach John Griffith. “In the end, the energy in the building was great. It really pushed our girls to get their personal best.”
For the boys, Peabody smashed a 41-year-old record in the shot put relay with a combined distance of 153.75 (45.53m). That total broke the existing mark of 149-9, set by Burlington in 1984. Comprising the trio were nation-leader Alex Jackson (59 feet, 7.5 inches), Areno Saint-Victor (47-5.75) and Jackson O’Brien (42-3.5). Individually, Jackson had the top throw, while Saint Victor was third among the 59 athletes.
In the high jump relay, won by Hopkinton (5.36m), the Hillers’ Logan Sullivan leaped a PR and state leader of 6-8. It was a four-inch best for Sullivan.
“I actually have taken the last three weeks off to sort of rest up and have some very competitive meets,” he said. “I have been doing a lot of lifting, a lot of technique work, a lot of back exercises. I’m very proud of how I did today.”
Reading Memorial engaged in a dogfight to win the 4×400 relay, an event where less than two seconds separated the top five finishers. The Rockets’ quartet of Chris Barbato, Clay Chase, Cameron Gigler and Derek Silva combined for a time of 3:29.77, just seven hundredths of a second ahead of Plymouth North (second, 3:29.84). Beverly (third, 3:30.14), North Andover (fourth, 3:31.15) and Peabody (fifth, 3:31.15), took the next three spots. Barbato, Chase, Gigler and Tim Connolly were on Reading’s winning 4x800m squad that was timed in 8:05.36. Arlington was second at 8:14.25.
The Wellesley girls raced to a new state-leader in the 4x400m with a time of 4:06.35. Finishing four seconds ahead was runner-up Woburn (4:10.37). Bishop Feehan was third at 4:11.10.
In the long jump relay, Wellesley’s Annie Comella leaped a state-leading 17-11.5. She edged Woburn’s Nicole Gangi in the competition. Gangi moved up to No. 3 in the state rankings with a distance of 17-11.
COMPLETE RESULTS
Check out our Instagram page for more interviews with our winners at Saturday’s meet.
