No surprises here.
As expected, Bay State athletes have delivered their share of standout performances over the last three days at the New Balance Nationals – and at Nike Indoor Nationals, too.
Two new state records have fallen, nine new state-leading marks have been established, and a slew of PRs, along with several school records, have been produced against the nation’s best.
Here’s a rundown of the highlights leading up to Sunday’s finals of the national meets.
THURSDAY
Lexington fell one place short of earning All-American honors in the 4×800-meter relay. The foursome of Cecilia Kvaal, Natalie Bielat, Mackenzie Callahan and Amelia Whorton combined for a time of 9 minutes, 13.23 seconds to place seventh overall. Whorton anchored the squad with a 2:11.68 split, while the other three legs ranged between 2:19 and 2:21. The Minutemen’s time is the fastest in the state since Brookline clocked 9:14.59 at the 2023 meet. Concord-Carlisle was 12th among the 50 teams with a time of 9:22.55.
In the boys race, Brookline was ninth with a fast 7:53.77. Comprising the quartet were Tony Carballo (1:59.67), Ibrahim Abdel-Dayem (2:00.51), Jonathan Traub (1:58.98) and Harry Flint (1:54.60).
Whitinsville Christian’s Emily Flagg produced one of the fastest indoor 5,000m performances ever by a Massachusetts athlete. The Crusader junior was ninth overall with a time of 16:52.19. Flagg was a model of consistency throughout the race with 200-meter splits generally ranging between 39 and 41 seconds. She went through 1,600 meters at 5:17.32 and hit 3,200 meters at 10:43.
Westford Academy’s Emily Wedlake was 29th overall in 17:28.68, just ahead of Lexington’s Jane Conrad, who finished 30th at 17:28.95.
In the wheelchair 800 meters, West Springfield’s Colton Robinson was just two seconds behind eventual winner Joel Tapia of Somerville (NJ). Robinson crossed the line in 2:40.42. Tapia set a new meet record of 2:38.25.
FRIDAY
Day 2 at New Balance was marked by a pair of milestone performances in the two-mile run.
Westford Academy’s Abigail Hennessy came within three seconds of the state record in the girls race. The Washington commit finished second overall with a PR of 9:52.55. Hennessy’s performance was just shy of the state record of 9:49.82 by former Belmont great Ellie Shea from the 2023 race.
Boston College High’s Greg McGrath moved to No. 4 on the all-time state rankings by placing 10th overall in the boys race. McGrath crossed the line in a PR of 8:56.42, an improvement of six seconds.
In the prelims of the 4×200-meter relay, Newton North came a half second from qualifying for the finals. The squad of Oliver Smith, George Rumkin, William Balerna and Logan Smith was timed in a season- and state-best 1:28.75, good for 18th overall.
Newton North also improved on its state-leading time in the girls race with a 1:44.02 clocking (45th overall). That quartet consisted of Isabell Mangada, Sophie Finkelstein, Brooke Bennett and Penny Blumenthal.
In the shot. Cohasset’s Nicholas Askjaer unleashed a nearly six-foot best of 65-5 to take second in the shot. Askjaer, who did not compete in any MSTCA or MIAA meets this season, had a previous best of 59-8.25 from the Rising Stars Youth Championships on March 6.
SATURDAY
Day 3 of New Balance featured our two state records.
Natick’s multiple state champion and record-holder Emmanuella Edozien of Natick inked her name in the books in the 60m hurdles. Edozien qualified for Sunday’s finals by racing to a new MA mark of 8.44 in her qualifying heat. The RedHawks senior dipped under the 2021 record of 8.49 by former Central Catholic standout Katherine Duren at the 2021 AAU Indoor Nationals.
In the triple jump, Catholic Memorial’s Amar Skeete leaped to an all-time state best of 49-11.5 in the triple jump. His near 50-footer placed him seventh in the talented field.
At the Nike Indoor Nationals, Oliver Ames’ Lavender Kozaka moved to No. 1 in the rankings in the long jump. She was seventh overall with a PR of 19-3.75.
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