Kayla Wong

Four teams arrived at Newton North's now famous $200 million complex on Tuesday undefeated and looking for a league title. Somehow, three of those teams left undefeated, and having won a league title. And for the first time in my coaching career, a local TV news crew from Fox 25 even covered the meet for their 6:00 and 10:00 broadcasts, perhaps a sign that track and field might soon move off of the periphery in this state.

Based on the performance list entering the meet, the Newton North boys were projected to score 24 points.  Even further down the list, Mansfield was projected to only score 14 points.  Both should have finished mid-pack if the performance list had any significant impact on the outcome of the championship.  Thankfully for both teams, seed times mean little.

Every event in a state championship provides excitement and drama, but this year the relays may decide the team title. But don't expect to see the same line-ups from last week. Some additional fresh legs --courtesy of athletes that did not qualify in an individual event-- may help the common man become the hero. We watched it happen on Sunday at the Division 1 Championships, and those same teams remain in the hunt this week.

Newton North continues to accomplish what is unimaginable to most teams, and this time they may have outdone themselves.  They scored 20 points in the long jump with four different girls contributing to the total.  Most teams would be thrilled to score 20 points in a meet, or have one athlete in the finals of a major division championship.  The depth was on display as a bevy of athletes assumed their role within the program for the greater good of the team.  The entire situation speaks volumes about the character of the athletes and the trust they have in the coaching staff.

Chariho High School set a lofty standard for the week when their 4x800m relay team cruised past the Rhode Island state record of 8:04.09 set in 2009 by South Kingstown.  The team of Drew Turner (2:02.4), Dan Kilcoyne (15:58.7), Bryce Kelley (1:58.6), and Mike Marsella (1:54.6) combined for a US#2 time of 7:54.3 to win the Charles Sweeney Last Chance meet.  They are the only team in New England to break the 8 minute barrier this season, but a slew of teams from the region have already run under 8:10.

It was a record breaking day as the Newton North girls took home the team title and set three meet records in the process.   The Tigers surpassed the previous best marks in the 4x50 Yard Relay (24.52), the 4x50 Yard Hurdles Relay (29.11), and the Long Jump (49’4.25).  Carla Forbes was a major part of the dash relay and long jump relay; in addition to anchoring the winning 4x400m relay. 

The 600m has always been a strong event in Massachusetts, and this year is shaping-up to be no exception.  Dan Duquette of North Attleboro leads 8 Massachusetts athletes on the list with his US#11 1:23.95 from the Hockomock League Meet #2.  Camille Blackman (Longmeadow) leads the state and is US#14 after winning the mile in 5:13.94 at the PVIAC Dual Meet #2.  She joins Bryanna Allison, Jordan O’Dea, Katie Powell, Alex Giese, Alli Wood, and Brynna Harum in the national top 50.

The MSTCA Winter Festival signaled the start of major invitational action in Massachusetts, and several prominent athletes from last year picked up right where they left off.  It was an impressive first day at the Reggie Lewis Center as the Small School athletes were on center stage Saturday. 

The indoor track season is upon us and it’s time to take a look at the top returners from each event.

The indoor track season is upon us and it’s time to take a look at the top returners from each event.

Several nationally ranked athletes are scheduled to compete, including the #2 and #4 400m runners in the country.

10 meet records are within reach, including Alberto Salazar's 2 mile record.

Many events are wide-open as the seniors take one last shot at glory.

Andrea Keklak scorches a 2:08.78 to win the 800m, while Moira Cronin leaps to US#3 in the high jump.

Impressive marks should be inevitable as the state prepares for the post season.

An inside look at all 13 events from the Division 1 championships.

  Keep up to date with the latest news from all the league championship meets. Photo by Henry Finch.