Published April 25, 2019
NORTH READING — The girls’ outdoor track and field team opened up the season with a dual victory over Masconomet 89-56 and Newburyport 91-54. It was an impressive start to the season with wins over two of the stronger teams in the league. Despite a wet and windy start to the meet, the weather dried up within minutes but the temperature continued to drop. By the end of the meet, it was under 35 degrees. The Hornets did not let this phase them as they continued to execute and perform at a top notch level even though this was only their first meet.
Junior Ali Grasso and sophomore Katelyn Gorgenyi, who scored 32 points and 26.5 points respectively across the two meets, led the team. Freshman Jessica Hill scored an impressive 20 points, followed by Lindsay MacLellan with 18 points and captains Kelly Bratton (12 points) and Mia DeNofrio (10 points). Abigail Martin and Isabella Parrett also scored double digits with 10 points each. These eight girls combined for 138 of the teams 180 points, which was over 75 percent of the team’s points.
Event winners included the following individuals: Ali Grasso (400 meter hurdles and triple jump), Katelyn Gorgenyi (long jump and 100 meter hurdles), Isabella Parrett (pole vault), Abigail Martin (javelin), Ali Grasso (triple jump), Lindsay MacLellan (two mile), and the 4×100 meter relay team made up of Talia Monteleone, Kaitlyn Shevlin, Meredith Martin and Kaitlyn Gorgenyi.
Individuals qualifying for the state championship were as follows: Kaitlyn Gorgenyi (100 meter hurdles), Ali Grasso (100 meter hurdles, 400 meter hurdles and triple jump), Grace Hadley (800 meters), Jessica Hill (pole vault), Lindsay MacLellan (one mile and two mile), Abigail Martin (javelin) Isabella Parrett (pole vault), and Ashley Rabbitt (pole vault).
Also scoring points in the meet were freshmen Nasha Arnold (discus and javelin), Maddie DiNapoli (400 meters) and Ella Monteleone (high jump), Ava Jolie Femia (100 meter hurdles), Caitlin Raimo (one mile) and captain Megan Lawlor (long jump and triple jump).
The team competed yesterday afternoon after press time against Pentucket and Ipswich and will compete this Saturday April 27 at Pembroke High School for the Division 3 State Relay Championship. Look for those stories in next week’s Transcript.