Hale, Wilson Place at Weston Twilight, Young Athletes Also Perform At Frosh/Soph

Saturday proved to be a very successful day for the Big Blue track & field teams, beginning with student-athletes competing at one of two meets going on over the weekend. The younger Big Blue student-athletes started the weekend off by competing in the Northeast Conference Freshmen/Sophomore Meet at Manning Field in Lynn. The meet features only freshmen and sophomores from the teams in the Northeast Conference. Finishers in the top six of each event helped score points for their teams.

Placing for the Big Blue girls' team included the following student-athletes:

First Place: Isabella Kornitsky (two mile, 12:25).

Fourth Place: Maria Travascio (discus, 72'6"), 4x400 meter relay team (4:43.6), Mackenzie Faulkner (100 meters, 13.6).

Fifth Place: 4x100 meter relay team (57.6).

Sixth Place: Alyssa Mauriello (one mile, 5:55.8), Taylor Gateman (400, 68.5).

On the boys' side, the following student-athletes placed:

First Place: Donovan Coleman (high jump, 5'10")

Third Place: Mark Rittiboon (shot put, 38'7" and 100 meters 12.4), Bennett Smith (800 meters, 2:07.4)

Fifth Place: 4x100 meter relay team (50.9), Barry Tevrow (discus, 96'11")

Sixth Place: Ethan Smith (400 meters, 59.4), Zach Levenson (discus, 92'6")

Later that evening, four Big Blue athletes headed down to Weston High School to take place in the Weston Twilight Invitational. The meet, which begins at 4PM, has a unique atmosphere and the excitement kicks up a notch when the stadium lights turn on after dark.

Senior Melinda Wilson started things off the Big Blue in the girls' discus. Wilson, who is heading to RPI in the fall, did not let being the top seeded competitor in the meet phase her, as she turned out another lifetime personal record performance with a throw of 122'1". While it could not be confirmed at press time, Melinda's throw is unofficially one of the top in the state so far this year. Senior Robert Seymour also represented the Big Blue Throwing Crew in the boys' shot put, placing fifth with a distance of 51'4.25". Seymour's performance was against some of the top throwers in the state.

On the track, the distance duo of Peter Hale and Matthew Mahoney took to the track in the seeded section of the boys' two mile. The race promised excitement, as many of the top runners from the indoor season were entered. 

As the race unfolded, it was any man's race. Hale, a senior bound for Williams College in the fall, stayed out of trouble near the front of the pack and Mahoney tucked in behind, going for the ride of a lifetime. Things got interesting heading into the last lap as Hale moved to the lead, and was quicky countered by John Valeri of Pembroke. Hale swung around Valeri with 50 meters to go to claim the victory in 9:19.25, an outdoor personal best and only a second off his lifetime PR. Mahoney, having a huge race, came in behind Hale with a lifetime personal best of 9:37.12. The first question Matt asked after the race was, "How did Peter do?!" 

For video of the Weston Twilight meets, please check the following links: Melinda & Rob throwing and Peter & Matt racing.

Both teams return to NEC Meet competition against Danvers this Tuesday at Upper Jackson Park. The meet will begin at 4PM. Currently, the girls team stands at 3-2 (2-1 NEC Small) while the boys are 2-3 (1-2 NEC Small). Both teams have qualified numerous athletes for state-level competition at the end of the season.