The 44th Dartmouth Relays at Dartmouth College NH once again provided some of the best performances in New England this season. We had a few stars shine bright and a few more teams flex their collective muscle. In the end we saw an entertaining weekend of high school track and field in the Northeast.
Boys Mile Run
With the announcement that the winner of the seeded mile getting an automatic bid into the Jr Mile at the upcoming New Balance Grand Prix meet in Boston a couple heavy hitters lined up at Leverone Field House to try an earn their way into a spot at the Grand Prix. Methuen MA senior Mike O’Donnell came in as one of the favorites after earning MileSplitMass/Marathon Sports athlete of the week for his 2:29 1000m win at the Boston Holiday Challenge. Chariho RI All-American Bryce Kelly came in boasting a 4:23 seed from the Hispanic Games in NYC, while other heavy hitters included NXN NY runner-up Mickey Burke (Rush-Henrietta NY) and the always dangerous Christian Alvarado from Fairfield Prep CT. From the gun O’Donnell took the lead and looked comfortable there pushing the pace. A chase pack maintained close contact with O’Donnell as he tried to pull away with 800m to go. That’s when Kelly saw his opening a made his move exploding over the final 600m to take the win in 4:20.13 and punch his ticket to Boston in February. Although O’Donnell had fell back a few spots he summoned his monster kick to roar past Burke (4:23.07) and Alvarado (4:23.10) on the back stretch to secure the 2nd place in season best time of 4:22.25.
Girls Mile Run
The girls mile may have been the race of the day with a lot of the best distance stars in the Northeast looking to earn their spot at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix. A couple of sophomore stars provided the excitment up front as Sheridan Wilbur (La Salle RI) and Exeter NH’s Shannon Murdock made a bid at the 5:00 mark. Catherine Maloy (Holy Names NY) and Brianna Lenehan (Norwich Free CT) helped push the pace early and picked up the 3rd and 4th spots with 5:03 and 5:04 times respectfully, but it was Wilbur and Murdock that battled down the homestretch with Wilbur out leaning Murdock to get the victory 5:02.72 to 5:02.88. Wilbur was excited to be able to compete in the Jr Elite Mile at the NB Grand Prix and said her goal is to go sub 5:00.
Boys 2 Mile
The boys 2 Mile went out fast and the pack separated early, Evan Grandfield (Bishop Feehan MA) anf Colin Tierney (Bishop Hendricken RI) did a lot of the work over the first mile, but it was two NY boys that took over from there. Averill Park senior Andrew Tario and Gloversville HS senior John Knox III took over the race in the second half and ran shoulder to shoulder with both finishing within hundreds of a second of each other. When the dust settled it was Tario that would claim the victory in 9:27.27 while Knox took runner up in 9:27.47.
Girls 2 Mile
The girls 2 mile was a one girl show as senior Bethanie Brown (Waterville ME) cruised to victory in a controlled 10:42.32, with MA Division II State XC champion Abby McNulty (Bishop Feehan) trailing behind in 10:54.90. The next closet finisher was almost a minute behind as these two showed they they were the class of the event.
Boys 600m
After winning the open 400m race, Canadian Alex Tourigny-Plante (Les Estacades) turned his sights on the 600m, just missing the meet record while taking the victory in 1:21.76. Danbury CT senior Austin Winter (1:23.17) battled tough down the home stretch to hold off Connor Kwiecien (Pinkerton NH) and Will Hirnak (Mt. Ararat ME) to take third.
Girls 600m
Junior Abby Livingston (Barrington RI) took command from the lead and pressed the pace throughout the win in impressive fashion and break former Bishop Guertin and current Princeton University star Cecilia Barowski’s 2010 meet record. Livingston’s 1:35.93 puts her top 5 in the US, while Colonie NY sophomore Kristen Kaminski also put in an impressive time of 1:37.06 to take 2nd place.
Boys 1000m
The race for first in the boys 1000m was an interested one as Scott Arsenault (Billerica MA) took control of the early laps, before Chris Poggi (Pinkerton NH) settled into the lead. Those two along with a cast of others took turns out front until Poggi took over on the last lap and made a strong bid for the win running 2:33.52, but it was Arsenault that came roaring back over the last 100m to nip him at the line with a winning time of 2:33.27. Pembroke’s (MA) Christian Stafford was in the middle of the pack for most of the race before closing with a 30 second last lap to take 3rd in 2:36.24. La Salle RI Freshman Jack Salsbury ran an impressive 2:37.63 for 6th place.
Girls 1000m
The girls 1000m race looked to be an absolute rock fight on paper, with 3 elite runners toeing the line for battle. Molly McCabe (Bishop Guertin NH) fresh off her record breaking performance at the Boston Holiday challenge, Kellie Davis (Hillhouse CT) who was multiple sub 3:00 performances under her belt, and Leah Triller (Holy Names Academy NY) recent winner of the 800m at the Rhode Island Classic gave the 1000m the headliners needed. In the end it was Triller that provided the thriller by just missing the meet record on route to a US#3 performance of 2:55.23. McCabe (3:00.54) would hold tough for 2nd over a hard charging Davis (3:02.52) for 3rd.
Boys 800m
The boys 800m saw Somerville MA All-American Andre Rolim casually work the track over 400m to cruise to the victory in 1:59.93, while being pushed by Adam Vare (Fairfield Prep CT) and Billy Stafford (Pembroke MA). Vare took second in 2:00.04 while Stafford claimed 3rd in 2:00.41. Hingham MA senior Bill Lumbert moved up a distance and picked up 4th place (2:01.44) from the 2nd heat.
Girls 800m
Holy Names Academy NY continued their dominance of the girls mid distance events when sophomore Estela Smith (2:22.28) held off Whitney Curtis (Hillhouse CT) and pair of La Salle RI teammates, Caitlin Marino and Caroline Falvey. Curtis took 3rd in 2:22.60, while Marino (2:224.18) and Falvey (2:224.75)battled for the 3 and 4 spot.
Boys 400m
In a event that is rarely offered in New England, a couple of Massachusetts boys faired quite well. Alex Torigny-Plante of Les Estacades school in Canada took the victory (50.01), with Dan Donohue (Old Rochester MA) and Billy Ward (Bishop Feehan MA) took 2nd and 3rd with times of 50.57 & 50.68 respectfully.
Girls 400m
Colonie NY sophomore Mikeisha Kelly (59.28) ran an impressive race to get the win, while Hillhouse CT senior Jayvona McDaniel (60.41) and Portsmouth RI’s Jess Kaufman (60.62) and Leah Hibbad 60.64) just missed their bid at a sub minute 400m.
Girls 300m
Running a 300m on a flat track and staying in your lanes might slow some people down, not Precious Holmes. The Hillhouse CT senior went on to pick up her 3rd meet record (2012 400m & 2013 SMR) at the Dartmouth Relays by hugging the turns on route to US#3 time of 39.30. Holmes race broke the record of former Colonie NY and current USF star Kyle Plante.
Boys 300m
The flat track didn’t bother the boys sprinters too much as the went on to produce some top times in New England. Josh Wray of Rush-Henrietta NY took the top spot with a time of 35.77. Zakari Jenkins (Nashua North NH) and Alex Perreault (Bishop Hendricken RI) were right on his heels running 36.21 & 36.31.
Boys 55m Hurdles
Jay Hebert made the trip from beautiful Ticonderoga NY to win the 55m hurdles with a quick time of 7.51. Devon Willis (Schalmont NY) gave him a run, clocking a 7.69 for 2nd place overall.
Girls 55m Hurdles
All-American Betsy Granick of Bishop Guertin NH cruised to a victory in the 55m hurdles with a New England leading time of 8.29. Massachusetts’ Ally Saccone (ORR) ran tough to pick up 3rd place in 8.57.
Boys 55m dash
Two teammates of the Canadian prep school of Edouard Montpetit set the straight away on fire running indentical times of 6.52, with Quaysie Gordan-Maule getting the victory over Stevens Dorcelus. Danbury CT senior Micaiah Hill (6.69) took 3rd overall.
Girls 55m Dash
Ashley Grazen (Lancaster NY) and Amanda Henson (Barstable MA) ran 7.35 and 7.29 to take 3rd and 2nd place, but it was Clemence Paiement (Edouard Montpetit) who got the win in 7.00 seconds.
Boys Shot
A couple of team mates took over the infield for an hour during the seeded sections of the boys shot put. The juniors from Lancaster NY, Brandon Sieurella and Tony DeYoung, traded the lead back and forth dropping bombs and letting out primal screams throughout the competition. Sieurella ended up taking the victory with a heave of 53-07.25 to DeYoung’s 52-10.25. Sam Weeks the senior from Methuen MA took 3rd with a toss of 52-01.5
Girls Shot
The coach of the Lancaster Redskins sure is doing the right things with their squad as the continued the dominated in the girls shot. Junior McKenzie Kuehlewind outclassed the field by throwing an impressive personal best of 42-00.50, while her teammate and classmate Courtney Drozdowski took 3rd with a toss of 35-03.75. Patty Driscoll (Jr) from Londonberry NH split the pair to take second with a throw of 37-05.
Girls HJ
Sophomore Allison Frantz from the Royal West Academy in Montreal cleared 5-04 to take the title over the border, while Erin Schaffer (Sr), Norwich Free CT, took second on misses after clearing 5-02. Seven other jumpers cleared 5-02 on the day.
Boys HJ
The Boys high jump saw two heavyweights go back and forth trading blows, clearing height after height as the only two remaining jumpers. With the whole field house providing the rhythmic clapping needed, junior Phillippe St-Hilaire (Edouard Montpeti) and junior Adam Couitt (Somerset-Berkley MA) provided a show for the fans by each clearing 6-08, with Hilaire getting the win based on misses.
Boys Pole Vault
Always a fan favorite, the boys pole vault provided hours of entertainment, but when it was all said and done- senior Devin Burgess of Waterville ME took home the gold after clearing 14-00 beating Alex Tamulonis (Milford NH) on misses.
Girls Pole Vault
The girls pole vault provided just as much action as the boys. The ladies showed that they could defy gravity and nobody did it better than Jenny Thill of Lancaster NY clearing 12-00 for the win. Junior Kara Synder (Colonie NY) took second with a vault of 11-06, while Lindsay Folsom of Cony ME also cleared 11-06 she took 3rd place on misses.
Boys Long Jump
Junior Stevens Dorcelus (Edouard Montpetit CAN) broke the meet record with a leap of 23-08.75, out jumping his competition by over two feet. The speedy Dorcelus had an approach that started in Vermont and ended with him launching multiple jumps that left the crowd in awe. Jayson Gayle (Sr) from Colonie NY took second with a jump of 21-04.75, while Chris Moura (East Providence RI) made the podium with a 20-07.25 marking.
Girls Long Jump
Heptathlon All-American Betsy Garnick (Bishop Guertin NH) showed her versatility (she also won the 55m hurdles) by taking the crown in the girls long jump with a hop of 17-08.25, making her New England #3 in that event. McKyla Brooks(Frontier NY), only a sophomore, jumped 17-05.25to take secon04.55d.
Girls Triple Jump
A trio of ladies showed that the “sophomore slump” couldnt effect them as the underclassmen all topped 36ft with McKyla Brooks (37-04.5) taking the win. Kellie Boulduc (Waterville ME) and Nenna Seenathuraie (Edouard Montpetit CAN) took 2nd and 3rd.
Girls Weight Throw
Junior Leia Mistowski (Narragansett RI) threw a NE#2 distance of 48-05.5 to take the easy win. Alex Miller-Wampler (Lancaster NY) and Acacia Larsen (Emma Willard NY) battled for the next spots with Miller-Wampler winning out over Larsen 44-11.5 to 44-00.
Boys Weight Throw
The crowd lined the throwing area in hopes of seeing some absolute missiles launched from the weight circle and Charlie Ionata didn’t disappoint. The senior from Barrington RI and top weight man in New England launched a 73-10 throw to take home the gold. His team, sophomore Adam Kelly, got second witha toss of 65-09.25.
Boys SMR
On Friday night the boys sprint factory of Colonie NY got out to a early lead and never looked back taking the win in the sprint medley relay with a time of 3:39.99. New England got in the mix with Amity Regional CT (3:43.04) going 2nd and Mt. Ararat ME (3:43.09) taking 3rd.
Girls SMR
The girls Sprint Medley Relay provided some fireworks on friday night as defending champs Hillhouse CT (4:07.05) broke their own meet record from 2012 on their to victory. Hillhouse got a stellar 400m leg from All-American Precious Holmes. Colonie NY did its best to keep it close clocking 4:11.58 for 2nd, while Norwich Free Academy CT (4:12.50) rounded out the podium.
Boys DMR
The boys distance medley relay proved to be a fun race to watch as some New England distance powerhouses battled it out on friday night. The star of the show was Chariho RI who used two member of their 2012 national record 4xmile team to pull away for the victory. After Jake Kilcoyne left them in a good position, ace Bryce Kelley took over on the anchor and worked the field on route to a US#10 time of 10:34.51. Fairfield Prep CT (10:38.93) and MA state XC champs Pembroke (10:39.82) battled for 2nd and 3rd spots, while the Bishop’s, Feeehan MA (10:44.66) and Hendricken RI (10:46.78) rounded out the scoring with impressive times.
Girls DMR
La Salle Academy RI and Coach Kelly Martin proved once again that they have one of the top distance programs in the Northeast defending their Dartmouth Relays distance medley title with a wining time of 12:19.63. Their Ocean State neighbor Barrington RI (12:29.20) took 2nd and Massachusetts Bishop Feehan (12:29.57) secured 3rd overall.
Boys 4x400m
The boys were screaming around the track in the 4x400m. The Burnt Hills NY team of Luke Cameron, Matt Bunch, Jared Short and Robert Kirsty got the baton around quickest to get the victory in 3:32.69. Bishop Hendricken RI took 2nd overall in 3:34.17 while Vermont got in the scoring when St. Johnsbury Academy took third in 3:35.34.
Girls 4x400m
The Hillhouse CT and Colonie NY sprint girls squared off once again in the 4x400 with similar results to friday nights SMR. Precious Holmes’ Hillhouse team picked up yet another victory clocking a 3:59.33 to just outlast Colonie’s time of 3:59.79.
Boys 4x200m
Colonie NY boys just missed the 2007 Hope RI meet record of 1:33.33 when they took the gold in 1:33.91, followed closely by Danbury CT (1:34.33) and Bishop Hendricken RI (1:34.71.
Girls 4x200m
The Hillhouse CT girls filled up their trophy case this weekend by once again take another sprint title in a NE#3 time of 1:48.33. La Salle RI (1:49.09) and Mt. Anthony VT (1:49.46) gave chase to get 2nd and 3rd.
Girls 4x800m
La Salle RI, Barrington RI, and Hillhouse CT squared off one last time on the weekend in the girls 4x800m. Fresh off some outstanding individual performances each teams star teamed up to help lead their teams to top 3 finishes. Hillhouse (9:44.17) and Barrington (9:45.96) ran season best times to take 2nd and 3rd, but La Salle once again showed it was the strongest distance program on the day winning the event in a New England best 9:36.88.