THE NRHS boys’ 4×200 relay won the Speed Classic in 1:34.11 just missing the school record by .01. Pictured is Caleb Sands, Ryan Maguire, Brodie Mann and Nate Miller. (NRHS Track Photo)
BOSTON — The 2022-23 edition of the North Reading Boys Indoor Track program got off to a good start last Tuesday evening at the brand new Track at New Balance in Brighton with a convincing victory over rival Lynnfield.
Boys Head Coach Ryan Spinney and assistant coaches Andrew Falanga, Josh Rocco, Joe Davis, Tom Ledoux, Kirsten MacLellan and Girls Head Coach Sotirios Pintzopoulos are very excited about how the program will compete this winter season.
The Hornets are led by senior captains Owen Delano, Jacob Duval, Nick Fabrizio and Caleb Sands and with a number of returning point scorers, this group looks ready to roll.
The Hornets were in cruise control from the opening event as they defeated Lynnfield 70-29. The Hornets were winners in 11 of 12 events and the highlight of the meet was in the 300 Meter Dash, when Senior Nathan Miller broke the school record by .01 with his new best of 36.38. The record was previously held by 2011 graduate, Nicholas Capezzuto, an extremely talented sprinter and middle distance runner in his own right.
“Nathan is incredibly worthy of this accomplishment,” said Spinney. “He works extremely hard, loves the sport and helps his teammates get better every single day. Every coach would be very fortunate to work with a high caliber athlete and a higher caliber person like Nathan Miller. I could not be more happy for him to get this mark.”
The Hornets had a ton of great performances throughout the contest. In the 55 Meter Hurdles, Sophomore Nicolas Johnson and Senior Captain Jacob Duval went 1-2 in times of 9.85 and 9.96. In the 55 Meter Dash, Senior Ryan McGuire and Senior Captain Caleb Sands went under 7 seconds each as they went 1-2 in times of 6.89 and 6.99, respectively.
In the 1 Mile, Senior Michael Hemme had his first of 2 individual victories on the day as he took the event in a time of 4:55.41.
“Michael is a gutsy and very intelligent runner,” said Spinney. “He looks to put himself in position to compete every single race and he refuses to quit no matter what.”
Senior Shane Hanson claimed third with a time of 5:58.09.
In the 600 Meter Run, Junior Logan Lamont and newcomer Freshman Gvain Brady took top honors with their 1:31.28 and 1:34.51 times respectively. Brady’s time was fast enough to qualify for the national championships in the Freshman Division. Not too bad for his second time running the event.
“Gavin is a natural talent and having Logan help push him makes us a very dangerous team in that event. They will both be getting better and better as the season continues.”
The 1000 Meter Run was once again dominated by Michael Hemme as he ran a personal best 2:53.20 to win the event. Senior Christian DaCosta and Sophomore Alexander Mitasev helped sweep the event for the Hornets as they placed 2nd and 3rd in times of 3:09.62 and 3:18.23, respectively.
After Miller’s record setting run in the 300 Meter Dash, Senior Brodie Mann and Sophomore Lucas DoVal finished the Hornet sweep with their 2nd and 3rd place efforts in times of 39.28 and 40.03.
In the 2 Mile, Johnson and Freshman Cole Fabrizio took 2nd and 3rd place honors with their 11:35.49 and 12:13.95 efforts.=
Senior Kyle McCormack took the Shot Put victory with a toss of 38′ 6.5″ and Senior Zach Rosatone took 3rd overall with his 31′ 8.5″ effort.
Senior Captain Jacob Duval took top honors in the High Jump with a 5′ 4″ leap. Miller was back to his winning ways, with a victory in the Long Jump with his 19′ 5.25″ mark to take the event. Sophomore Tanner DuPriest claimed 3rd overall with his best jump of 18′ 4″.
Rounding out the meet were the victorious 4 x 200 Meter Relay and 4 x 400 Meter Relay teams who both qualified for the MIAA Division IV State Championship meet with their respective times. The 4 x 200 team of Sands, Senior Liam Rodger, DoVal and McGuire cruised to a 1:36.35 time. The 4 x 400 team of Mann, Lamont, Brady and Miller took home the honors with a time of 3:40.59. The victory gives a 1-0 record on the season.
On Sunday, the Hornets traveled to Reggie Lewis to compete in the Speed Classic for Small Schools, which consisted of the events of Long Jump, 55 Meter Dash, 55 Meter Hurdles, 300, 600 and 4 x 200 Meter Relay. It was quite a successful day for the Hornets as Nathan Miller bettered his school record 300 Meter Dash time by another .20 seconds as he took home the overall victory on the day in the event. His new time of 36.18 will reset the record books once again.
Miller also anchored the teams 4 x 200 Meter Relay, which also achieved victory, as they ran the relay in 1:34.11, a mere .01 seconds off the school record for the event and only .11 seconds off the national championship qualifying time for the Rising Star Division. The team of Caleb Sands, Ryan McGuire, Brodie Mann and Miller, absolutely dominated the event and will look to qualify for nationals the next time out.
McGuire had a strong day in the Long Jump as he took 2nd overall with his season best leap of 20′ 6.75”. Gavin Brady improved his 600 Meter Run time to 1:31.99, which once again qualified him for the National Championship in the Freshman Division.
A number of Hornets posted their season bests on this day and that is something that coach Spinney and the other members of the coaching staff hope will continue. “So many athletes had great performances today,” said Spinney. “Lots of personal or season bests and it is still very early in the campaign. Our hope is to continue to work hard and keep improving into late January and February when the meets are at the championship level.”
The Hornets will be back in action on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at the Track at New Balance against Pentucket.