On Saturday May 12, Dilboy Stadium was ready to host the Massachusetts Coaches Invitational.  Many of the top runners, jumpers, and throwers came to compete against the state, in hope for success later on at the Divisional and State Meet.

In the distance races, senior Justin Connolly, and junior Megan Peterson qualified for the Division II state meet times of 10:12.25, and  12:23.22.  Juniors Sean Herlihy, and Kevin Delaney also competed in the 2 mile as well as sophomore Kristen Coyne and freshman Lucy Lynch.  In the one mile, senior Zach Ganshirt did not run a PR but ran his best time of the season, with a 4:36.35.  Sophomore Gina Conti earned the first medal for the girls on Saturday in the mile, with a time of 5:23.07, placing third.

Junior PJ Hayes placed first overall in the final heat of the 100m dash.  Hayes clocked a 10.73, which broke the Walpole High School record, previously owned by Senior Vinne Lee set in 2009.  Junior Connor McCarthy and senior Conor Murtaugh placed third and fourth in the 110m hurdles, with a time of 15.12, and 15.21.  In the girls 100m dash Senior Erin McCarthy ran to a PR in the finals with her first time breaking 13.00 seconds, with a time of 12.91.  Junior Maddy Shea placed eighth in the finals, similar to McCarthy, with a time of 26.64.  Shea and McCarthy also competed in the long jump.  Shea leaped a 16-10.00 and McCarthy jumped 16-08.75 for a PR.  Senior Lizzy Almeda had a big day in discus with a throw of 101’11.00.  Almeda not only had a PR, she is also now second place in Walpole High School’s record.  She earned a third place medal, and was her first time throwing over 100.00.

With only a few Massachusetts Invitationals left in May, many athletes are stepping up to run their best on May 27, the Division II State meet.