I’m separating the recaps into boys and girls, partially because I forgot to take a photo of the boys’ scoresheet before leaving. I’ll update it when I get the results tonight.
The girls had a historic day, even if the epic comeback came up just two points shy of a win. At one point we were down 62-42 with the triple jump, discus, 2 Mile, and 4x400 remaining – and they still had a 5:14 miler doubling back and a girl that did 35’ in the triple, so it wasn’t like we were expecting to make a run on points.
We came up just short, 69-67, but some of the performances were absolutely incredible. I checked, the only events we lost were to athletes that had won a league title in that event in prior years (or became the league leader today), including some National Qualifiers (Brooke-Lynn Williams in sprints, Katie Bradley in the mile). That is literally making your opponent work their tail off to earn those victories.
In the 400 hurdles, Eve and Anna took second and third, with both lowering their times from last week (71.8 for Eve, 77.1 for Anna), and Eve nearly making states.
Next was the 100, where Kylie came within 0.2 seconds of her own school record with a 12.8, second-best time in the league.
The mile was an epic showdown as well, as Sydney Snow was second in a time of 5:18.0. She’s the first Holliston girl under 5:20 since Kim Thalmann (17 years ago!), and only seven seconds off Kim’s outdoor school record. Kelly Irons came up with a big third place in 6:03.
At this point we got another unexpected surprise. Going into the high jump, it was Madison (4’11 last week) up against two 4’10’s for Norton, with Caroline and her 4’6 personal best just trying to inch up her best mark. Well, Caroline had a SIX INCH PR in high jump, clearing 5’0 to win second place on the tie-breaker. Not to be outdone, Madison made 5’3 on her first attempt to not only win, but qualify for New Balance Outdoor Nationals!
Back on the track, they took the 4x100 with a heavily favored team, but our girls lowered their time by FOUR full seconds with a 55.9.
In the long jump, Kylie took second at 16’11, just five inches off her own school record and easily qualifying for states. It’s the #2 mark in the entire league!
The 400 featured Alexis Mejia coming down from her usual 800, and Madison Ward out of hurdle duty. The duo took second and third, but Alexis qualified for states (63.4) with the fifth-best time in the league this year, and Madison nearly qualifying (64.2) with the #8 time in the league!
They took 1-2 in the hurdles, but Bridget Ghelli continued her PR streak, running 17.7 to creep closer to state qualifying.
The shot put rolled in, with Kelly Alves setting a seasonal best by over a foot, and Danielle Lamb taking third (results updated shortly). In the javelin, Kelly also took second.
Back on the track, Sydney Snow cruised to a win in 2:33, as the comeback began to take shape. Kylie nearly broke her own school record in the 200 with a 26.1, taking second in the 200.
The girls triple jump results came in, and once again the Ward sisters had delivered a major point swing. Up against the defending league champ, they went 1-2 with 33’6 and 33’5 (Madison edging Caroline), with Caroline qualifying for states! (Madison already had done so last week).
Katie Salley entered the 2-mile with a lifetime PR of 12:32, and up against an XC All-State medalist who was doubling back from a 5:14. She dropped a 39 SECOND PR in a time of 11:53, which leads the entire league by 14 seconds! She’s the first sub-12 girl since Rosie Keogh 7 years ago. Addie Datz took third, nearly stealing second, with a time of 12:48.2 It’s a 35 second PR from last week, and puts her at #7 in the league and only 13 seconds off of states!
The 4x400 toed the line knowing we needed a win to stay alive. Alexis led off with a 64.6, followed by Anna holding the lead at a 68.1. Emma gapped Norton with a 66.2, and Eve took it home in 65.6, for a state-qualifying time of 4:24.7!
Danielle Lamb (1st) and Sophia Rahim (3rd, checking on distances) took 1-3 in the discus for the final event.
In all, here’s what we had at the end of the day
NATIONAL QUALIFIERS – 1 (Madison Ward , High Jump)
STATE QUALIFIERS – 5 athletes in 7 events!
2 Mile – Salley
100 – Lorenzen
Long Jump – Lorenzen
400 – Mejia
Triple Jump – Caroline Ward
High Jump – Madison Ward
4x400
SCHOOL RECORDS THREATENED
100 (Kylie, own record)
200 (Kylie, own record)
Long Jump (Kylie, own record)
“FIRST TIME WE HAD SOMEONE UNDER – IN AT LEAST X YEARS” performances
Mile – Sydney (first under 5:20 in 17 years)
2 M – Katie (first under 12 in 7 years)
I’m going to post the TVL Rankings tomorrow on the website, expect to see a TON of red!
