BOSTON — On paper, there was no chance the NRHS boys’ indoor track team would finish higher than 4th place overall. On paper, they were just too far back and out of contention to challenge the top teams in the league.
Once again, hard work and perseverance proves predictions wrong!
North Reading had their strongest team performance by far, crushing expectations by scoring 75 points to place second overall at the Cape Ann League Open Championship Meet on Feb. 8 at the Reggie Lewis Center to league regular season and open champion, Newburyport.
“Every single member of the team brought their best effort into today’s competition,” said Hornets head coach Ryan Spinney. “We had a ton of season and all time personal bests across the board. We could not be prouder of how they stepped up and let their performances do the talking. A great way to end our league schedule and push onward to states.”
3 overall league event champions wear Green and Gold
Senior Alex Carpenter, Junior Ryan McGuire and the 4 x 200 Meter Relay team of Carpenter, McGuire, Junior Caleb Sands and Senior Captain Spencer Beane all took home league champion honors in their events.
Carpenter sped his way into the record books as he ran a 6.81 55 Meter Dash race to claim first in the league and 7th in school history in the event.
“Small in stature, big in heart. That’s Alex,” said Spinney. “He competes as hard as anyone and hates to lose. We are so happy he was able to take home the title as the fastest dash runner in the league because he deserves it.”
McGuire lept his way into the record books as he took first overall in the Long Jump with a new school record mark of 21’ 0.25”, which was just 1/4 inch further than previous record holder John Braga’s mark of 21’ 0” from 2013.
“Ryan is one impressive athlete. He just gets better and better with each competition,” said Spinney. “He is just a few months into his track career and it is one of the finest few months one can have. He is just scratching the surface of how good he can be.”
Carpenter and McGuire weren’t done with their winning ways as they combined with Sands and Beane to take home the gold in the 4×200 Meter Relay with a time of 1:36.32.
“What was so incredible about this time was they ran in the slower heat and didn’t have the top competition to run against. We hadn’t put together our strongest relay yet this season and we are so proud they were able to rise to the occasion and take home the win despite having to run almost alone in their heat,” said Spinney.
Beane, Nadeau, Lamont take silvers in their events
Beane, Senior Captain Aidan Nadeau and Sophomore Logan Lamont all took home 2nd place finishes in their events, all in top 10 all time school performances as well. Beane took home silver in the 300 Meter Dash with a time of 37.57, which puts him in 8th place all time in NRHS history for the event.
“Spencer is a talented, tough and smart runner,” said Spinney. “He has developed into a standout sprinter and jumper and certainly earned the accolades that are coming his way. He ran a superb race today and also had a very strong finish as the anchor of the 4×200 Meter Relay.”
Nadeau ran a gutsy race in the 1 Mile as he crushed his best and now sits at 5th all time in NRHS history with his 4:40.08 and also took home second overall in the race for his efforts.
“Nobody wants to succeed more than Aidan,” said Spinney. “He wants to win, he wants to be the best and he works hard at it. To see him have this type of breakthrough is a well deserved testament to his efforts.”
Lamont had a great race as well as he battled in a tough group to take home second in the 600 Meter Run with a time of 1:29.71, which puts him 10th all time in NRHS history.
“Logan is just coming into his own as a mid distance runner,” said Spinney. “He is learning how to compete and follow how the race unfolds and react to it. This race definitely proved he will be one to watch at the league and state level going forward.”
Contributions across the board
The Hornets had a number of athletes chip in with points in multiple events to help the team case for 2nd overall. Bringing home 3rd place efforts included Senior Casey O’Connor in the Shot Put, threw a strong toss of 43’ 3.75”, which now places him as 10th all time in NRHS history.
“Casey has emerged as a major force in the CAL for both the winter and spring seasons,” said Spinney. “He just keeps pushing and refining his technique and it is paying off.”
The 4 x 800 Meter relay of Nadeau, Lamont, Junior Michael Hemme and Junior Ben Meier took home a third place finish with a time of 9:15.49.
“This was a major improvement for our relay time in this event. The team really pushed hard and took roughly 16 seconds off the previous time. A great effort by the four of them,” said Spinney.
Other point scorers for the Hornets included:
Senior Nick Ciardiello, who took 5th in the Shot Put with a personal best of 41’ 0.”
Senior Jake Mikulski who took 5th overall in the 55 Meter Hurdles with a personal best and automatic state qualifier time of 8.74.
Junior Michael Hemme who took 5th overall in the 600 Meter Run with a personal best of 1:33.79.
Junior Nick Fabrizio who took 5th overall in the 1 Mile Run with a personal best of 4:52.11.
The 4 x 400 Meter Relay team of McGuire, Senior Dan Oliveira, Hemme and Nadeau finished in 6th place overall with a time of 4:01.93.
“We have so much to be proud of today,” said Spinney. “Lots of excitement, lots of teammates supporting one another and lots to look forward to in the future. A great meet overall for our program.”
Sprint Medley Relay Qualifies for Nationals
Seniors Spencer Beane, Alex Carpenter, Aidan Nadeau and Junior Ryan McGuire competed at the Valentine’s Day Invitational at Boston University in order to attempt to qualify to compete in the National championship, emerging elite division for the Sprint Medley relay. Needing to have a combined event time faster than 3:47.0, the squad was able to accomplish their goal of making nationals by their senior campaign.
Spencer ran a very quick 400 Meter in 53.49 to get the ball rolling. Ryan and Alex continued with strong efforts in the 200 Meter as they ran 23.38 and 24.27, respectively. Aidan had the honor of concluding the day with a personal best in the 800 Meter Run as he clocked in at 2:02.09, which when combined with the other three times broke the required 3:47.00 entry standard.
“These four have focused on this opportunity all season,” said Spinney. “They have talked about having this opportunity to compete and nationals and now they have earned it. It is well deserved and I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.”
The relay team will join a number of the girls’ team members as the Hornets will have a sizable squad heading to New York the weekend of March 11-13.