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It's been a strong first week of the outdoor track and field season, especially at the middle school level, where some of the state's brightest young stars have taken center stage.
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Sprint Events - Top Performers
Aiden Kimaru, Innovation Academy - Kimaru delivered a dominant all-around performance at the EAA Scrimmage Meet, winning the 100m, 200m, and high jump. His sprint times are both currently ranked first in the state, building off an undefeated season in both events last year across eight appearances.
Anna-Maria Badia, Justus C. Richardson - Badia broke through in a big way at the EAA Scrimmage Meet, winning both the 100m and 200m dashes after topping out at fourth in the 100m and third in the 200m last season. She now holds the top mark in the state in both events, as well as the long jump, early this year.
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Field Events - Top Performers
Nicholas Lacerda, Justus C. Richardson - Lacerda made the most of his debut, winning the shot put at the EAA Scrimmage Meet with a throw of 32-4.5. According to the MileSplit database, it marked his first-ever track meet - an impressive start!
Josalyn Bertrand, Justus C. Richardson - Bertrand opened her season with a sweep of the throws, winning both the discus and shot put while setting the state's top marks in each event. After winning the shot put five times last season, she looks to carry that momentum forward.
Mia Sann, Academy of Notre Dame - After coming up short multiple times last season, Sann opened her year with a breakthrough performance in the javelin, winning the event with a throw of 72-0 at the EAA Scrimmage Meet. The mark is a significant personal best and an encouraging early sign of progress.
Distance Events - Top Performers
Cooper Wilson, Boston College - Wilson opened his track season with a win in the mile, running 5:08 at the CC JV Meet #2. The distance standout builds off a strong cross country season that saw him place second at the Massachusetts Middle School State Championships while winning four of his six races.
Oneil Zapata, Lowell Community Charter - Zapata turned in a strong all-around performance at the EAA Scrimmage Meet, winning both the 800m and 1,600m while also finishing second in the long jump. His 2:34 in the 800m stands as the fastest middle school time in the state early this season.
Madeleine Howard, Longmeadow - Coming off a seventh-place finish at the Massachusetts Middle School XC State Championships this fall, Howard opened her season with a win in the 1,600m at her home meet, running 6:12.