Division 2 state track: Wellesley girls, North Andover boys soar to championships
Change is inevitable.
But one thing that has remained consistent for nearly a decade is Wellesley High School when it comes to soaring in track.
Annie Comella opened her day with an outstanding victory in the 55-meter dash (7.19 seconds). The junior standout also placed second 300 (41.23) as well as the long jump (17-09.5 feet). Meanwhile, Charlotte Tuxbury blazed to a win in the mile (5:00.44), as Wellesley added the latest page to its expansive dynasty with another MIAA Div. 2 indoor girls track and field championship Friday at the Reggie Lewis Center.
“We’ve been doing really good all season,” said Comella. “Obviously, working super hard to get to this moment. Everyone showed up today and competed to their best. I think it was super rewarding that we got this win.”
It was the seventh straight divisional title for Wellesley’s program, with the Raiders accumulating 80 points. Tuxbury also played a vital role for the Raiders during the 4×800, as she combined with Delaney Dwyer, Emma Tuxbury and Kayla Bohlin for a winning time of 9:45.41. The Raiders then capped the meet with a win in the 4×400, with Dwyer, Bohlin, E. Tuxbury and Ava O’Grady timing out in 4:05.53.
The Raiders entered action without coach John Griffith, who missed the meet due to an illness. Yet, they maintained their composure as the meet intensified.
“This team is just so, so talented,” said Wellesley girls distance coach Cassie McLaughlin. “We have a lot of depth from the individuals (up). We know that the relays are going to be strong when we go into that. We’re confident that if we need points with the relays, they’re going to pull through for us.”
Meanwhile, North Andover certainly relied on its relay teams, as the Scarlet Knights rallied their way to a Div. 2 indoor boys track and field title behind David Muir, Brendan Dee, Trevor Hunter and Soham Nath. The quartet combined to win the final event – the 4×400 (3:31.56), as the school clinched the hardware in walkoff fashion with 61 points edging Wellesley for first by 3.5 points.
The Scarlet Knights also were able to pick up points during the 4×200, as Owen Delaney, Ben Iglesias, Wyatt Sanchez and Ajani Muzasadila combined to place first in 1:32.42.
During his final lap, Muzasadila found himself trailing the pack by a few steps. Then the anchor found a second gear, willing his team to the victory in epic fashion.
“I knew we were behind by a good six points.” Muzasadila said. “I just wanted to win for my team, so I didn’t slow down. The problem is that I usually slow down, but I kept my form, and I didn’t stop running.”
Maxwell Hoffman also registered a second-place finish for North Andover during the mile (4:26.74), while Luke McGillivray finished as the runner-up in the two mile (9:45.54).
By now, Peabody’s Alex Jackson is no stranger to reaching historic heights. The junior eclipsed his latest milestone in the shot put with an outlandish toss of 60 feet, six inches. The throw unseated a meet record that had stood for 54 years, set back in 1970 by Greg Sullivan of Xaverian.
“(Felt) a lot different,” said Jackson. “We’ve been working a lot this week, because we’ve known it’s been there. Still working on it, but felt good today. … (Sometimes) I just get too relaxed, but I just went for it.”
Algonquin senior Stephen White finished a double-winner, as he emerged from the pack late to clinch the mile (4:24.63). He followed things up during a dramatic two mile race, as he avoided a minor collision entering the decisive lap en route to winning in 9:43.82.
“I wanted that second medal,” White said with a chuckle. “The trip-up happened, but I knew I had to gun it. That was my chance.”
Marshfield’s Graham Heinrich screams as he wins the boys 1.000-meter race at the Div. 2 track championships at Reggie Lewis on Friday. (Staff Photo/Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)