Despite the frigid polar air encompassing all of New England, we were warm and toasty with all of the fast performances at the 2016 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon.
After five straight Massachusetts high school divisional championship meets throughout the week, it was only fitting we start the day off with a stacked girls' junior mile. Featuring a field of competitive young ladies from all over New England, the Mid-Atlantic and Iowa, Massachusetts was well represented by Sarah Armstrong (Needham), Margie Cullen (Needham), and Sarah Edwards (Bellingham).
Despite throwing down big performances at their respective divisional championship meets earlier in the week, the Massachusetts trio looked smooth as they sat comfortably together in the middle of the pack during the early stages. Hitting the opening quarter in 70.x and the half at 2:25, we eventually saw Cullen leave behind her Mass sisters to chase after Stephanie Jenks (Marion HS, IA) and Sammy Watson (Rush Henrietta HS, NY).
At the 1200m, Cullen was still trying to make up ground on the race leaders and attempting to defend her home track. After falling slightly off Armstrong of Needham, Sarah Edwards of Bellingham began unleashing her fantastic mid-distance speed to also throw her hat in the ring of front end contenders. Margie Culllen tried her best to reel in the two race leaders over the final 200m, but would have to settle for a respectable 3rd place overall in 4:50.15. Having an excellent bell lap, Edwards and Armstrong ran stride for stride to take 4th and 5th in 4:51.13 and 4:51.41, respectively. We definitely tip our hats to all three ladies for representing Massachusetts on the national stage, especially after all three of them put up big performances at their respective state meets.
Post Race Interviews with Sarah Armstrong and Margie Cullen (Needham)
Post Race Interview with Sarah Edwards (Bellingham)
As if we didn't have enough competitive Massachusetts high school track and field this week, we would also be treated to two intense HS Sprint Medley Relays after the boys' junior mile and before the girls' junior mile. Primarily featuring Massachusetts high schools, we saw the boys' race get off to a fine start with a strong opening 800m leg from Liam Sullivan of Northampton. Though not looking to give up any ground on the leaders from Northampton, Needham's secnd leg pulled right up to the Blue Devils' leg--it would stay that way for the remainder of the race. Coming off the final turn, we had Northampton, Needham, and Wethersfield, NJ, all vying for victory. Finding that last ounce of energy, Nick Smith of Northampton pulled to win the race with a time of 3:34.75. Wethersfield, NJ, took 2nd overall in 3:34.99 and Needham was right behind in 3rd with their 3:45.00 performance. On the girls' side, the young ladies of Concord Carlisle high school ran away from the field to win easily in 4:10.67. Norton Girls were 4th overall in 4:16.79 and Marlborough took 5th with their time of 4:17.63.
Concluding our fantastic week of high school racing, we witnessed a strong contingency of Massachusetts boys in the junior mile. Obviously, all eyes across the state were on Thomas Ratcliffe of Concord Carlisle and his first real test of the season with some of the nation's finest milers. Once the gun went off, the field was bunched up for the opening lap and no one seemed eager to take over the early work. After coming through the first 400m just under 65, Ratcliffe took his customary role up at the front and brought along Jack Salisbury (RI) and Aidan Tooker (NY). The Concord senior looked comfortable coming through the half in 2:05 and hitting the 1200m mark just over 3:08. Trying to shut out his competitors in the final 200m, Ratcliffe threw down a hard kick to try and shake off Salisbury of LaSalle Academy. Though in the final turn, Jack Salisbury came off the curve hard and gained a slight advantage on Ratcliffe, going on to win in 4:08.33. Thomas didn't lose much ground on his New England rival and finished right behind in 4:08.74. The remaining Massachusetts competitors were Viraj Deokar of Middlesex School in 9th (4:17.16), Matt D'Anieri of Wellesley in 10th (4:17.79), and Andrew Ernst finishing in 12th (4:21.95). We will see Ratcliffe and D'Anieri back in action next weekend at the All-State Meet, while we are positive Deokar and Ernst will meet up with their state counterparts at Nationals.
Post Race Interview with Thomas Ratcliffe (Concord Carlisle)
