THE 2022 Div. 4 State Relay Champions. Pictured in the first row from left to right: capt. Emma Mini, capt. Madison DiNapoli, capt. Annie MacLellan, capt. Samantha Magner, Giuliana Ligor, Bella Fischer and Madison Vant. In the second row from left: Stella DaSilva, Alison Koenig, Ava McIntyre, Kylie Gettings, Ella Monteleone, Sophia Galuppo, Karleigh Budny, Despina Sfikas, Madeline Forristall and Alexandra Sfikas. In the third row: Charlotte McLaughlin, Shayla Alley, Kaitlyn Supple, Kayla Hannan, Annalise Butler, Jenna Mahoney, Ellie Heintz, Catherine Casey, Jillian Ball, Sabrina Mini, Madelyn Arian Aitchison and Isabelle Lazure. In the fourth row: Paige Helferich, Madeline Lambert, Sophie Boudoya, Ellie Moberg, Morgan Davis, Margaret Fortin, Ella Mazzei and Alyssa Demetri. Missing from photo: Brooke Harrington, Jessica Hill, Kayla Budny and Olivia Diorio. (NRHS Track Photo)
BOSTON — The NRHS girls’ indoor track and field team continued their undefeated streak by winning the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association (MSTCA) Division 4 State Relay Championship on Jan. 22 at the Reggie Lewis Center. This victory was their forth title in six seasons having won three in a row 2017-2019, falling short in 2020 and 2021 not being contested due to Covid.
This meet, more than any other, tests the depth of each team as each event requires 3-4 athletes to come together and compete against the best in the state. In field events, three individuals from each team compete and add their total performances to determine the top teams. On the track, four individuals from each team compete passing the baton around the track or passing each other on the infield in shuttle competitions. Points are awarded to the top six teams as follows (10-8-6-4-2-1) and there are a total of ten events contested. The Hornets competed in all 10 events and scored in 8 of the 10.
Leading things off for the Hornets was the 4 x 50 yard shuttle hurdle relay team of Ella Monteleone (7.7s), Kayla Hannan (8.2s), Annie MacLellan (8.4s) and Ellie Heintz (8.5h) who ran a combined time of 32.91 seconds for the victory and 10 points for the team. This gave the Hornets the lead and they never looked back.
Up next was the 4 x 50 yard shuttle dash relay team of Madison DiNapoli (6.3s), Ava McIntyre (6.1s), Kayla Budny (6.3s), and Madison Vant (6.2s) who despite running a speedy 24.91 seconds, which broke the previous school record of 25.30 seconds had to settle for the third place and six points, finishing behind Wilmington and Pembroke. At this point, the Hornets had a two point lead over Wilmington 16-14 which was their closest competitor throughout the meet.
In the three field events, the Hornets scored a combined 16 points, which was the highest team point total across all three events at the meet.
In the Shot Put, Emma Mini (9.28m), Sabrina Mini (8.25m), and Samantha Magner (7.92m) combined for 25.45 meters which was good enough for 5th place and 2 points.
In the High Jump, Ella Monteleone (1.52m), Giuliana Ligor (1.34m), and Brooke Harrington (1.34m) combined for 4.20 meters which was good enough for 3rd place and 6 points.
In the Long Jump, Ava McIntyre (5.00m), Madison Vant (4.66m), and Giuliana Ligor (4.46m) combined for 14.12 meters scoring 8 points in 2nd place. This all brought the Hornet point total to 32 with Wilmington in second with 23 points and Pembroke in third with 22 points.
The Hornets had a comfortable lead at the halfway point with the five track events on the oval left. The 4 x 800 meter relay was won by Holliston, a team that was very strong in the distance events but lacked the depth across all events to vie for the team championship. Although the Hornet squad of Annie MacLellan (2:41), Callie MacLellan (2:46), Kayla Hannan (2:48), and Karleigh Budny (2:45) ran well in 11:00.69 for 11th place, their time was not fast enough to score points as it took a sub 10:45.00 to do so. However, Wilmington only picked up a point in sixth place and Pembroke did not score a point as they finished back in 8th. It was a similar story in the 1600 meter sprint medley relay as the Hornets finished 14th with a time of 5:07.61. It was a young team led by senior Sophia Galuppo who ran a speedy 69 second 400 meter leg. Pia Sfikas and Bella Fischer ran 30-31 seconds in their respective 200 meter legs and Alison Koenig anchored the team in the 800 meters in 2:56.9. Wilmington scored 4 points in the event and decreased the Hornet lead to 4 points (32 to 28).
The 4×200 meter relay was up next, which the Hornets were expected to dominate as they were seeded 1st as one of the best teams in the state across all divisions and the team had already qualified to compete at the National Championship later this season. Madison DiNapoli led things off with a speed 26.8 opening leg which was matched by Ava McIntyre’s 26.8 second split. Kayla Budny unfortunately suffered a hamstring injury halfway through her leg but still finished strong in 30.6s to give the Hornets a fighting chance. Madison Vant kept hope alive with another 26.8s leg and a combined time of 1:51.34 for 2nd place and 8 points. Pembroke won the event, bringing their team score to 32 and Wilmington took 5th bringing their score to 30. The Hornets felt good with their 40 points at this point, which would end up being enough to win the meet but they didn’t know it at the time and there where still two events left on the track.
Distance powerhouse Holliston took first in the 4000 meter distance medley relay in 12:50.83 followed by Medfield, Pentucket, Austin Prep, Newburyport and North Reading in sixth with a time of 14:16.09 which brought the Hornet score to 41 points and a 9 point lead over Pembroke and a 12 point lead over Wilmington. Callie MacLellan lead off the relay with a 1200 meter split time of 4:23. followed by Sophia Galuppo in the 400 meters (1:12), Kayla Hanna in the 800 meters (2:52) and Annalise Butler in the 1600 meters (5:47).
This meant that only Pembroke could catch the Hornets with one event left on the track but they finished way back in 16th in the earlier heats which meant the Hornets couldn’t lose. Despite that, the 4×400 meter relay team sealed the deal with their 3rd place finish and sixth points. Madison DiNapoli (62.4s), Isabelle Lazure (67.8s), Madelyn Arian Aitchison (69.2s) and Giuliana Ligor (64.8s) ran a speedy 4:23.86 with the crowd screaming the whole way, knowing that the Hornets had already won the meet.
In the end, the Hornets won with 47 points with Wilmington in second with 38 points and Pentucket and Pembroke tied for 3rd with 32 points. There where 40 teams competing for the team title with about 20 teams scoring points but in the end the North Reading Hornets were back on top of the podium with their impressive performances.
This championship was truly a team effort and shows the depth of this NRHS program. The Hornets will compete next on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in the Cape Ann League Championship. Spectators are not allowed at the event but the event will be streamed live on the baystaterunning youTube channel.