Girls track competed against a better Needham team in their last dual meet of the season, losing 68-28. Some athletes did not compete to their full potential, affecting Walpole to only score 28 points and finish their season with a record of 3-3. As a team it was the last chance for the girls to compete as whole, but despite the lost some athletes are still continuing on for the Conference meet and States.
To start off the meet, senior captain Megan Peterson qualified for states in the mile by running a time of 5:41.27. Even though, the girls were swept in the mile, the Needham runners provided competition for Peterson to push herself and help her qualify as individual. The mile is the second event Peterson qualified for; previously in the season she qualified in the two mile. Sophomore Lucy Lynch ran set a new PR crossing the finish line at 5:53. Freshmen Meghan Coakley ran her best mile time of the season, approaching the finish line at 6:26. Senior Danielle Levya PR’d ran a 6:48, with the help of fellow teammate, senior Mary Reedy. Levya and Reedy finished milliseconds apart from one another. In the thousand meter race, junior captain Gina Conti scored five points for the Rebels by taking first place the only place Needham was unable to steal. Sophomore Kaitlyn Flinn and Junior Mackenzie Wilson PR’d running times of 3:27 and 3:28. After the 1000 meter race, junior Megan Jenkins took second place for the Rebels, stealing 3 points for the team. Sophomore Molly Lanahan PR’d finishing at 1:55.19. Freshmen Nicole Tobin continues to improve her 300 meter time and take first place receiving 5 more points for Walpole. Tobin ran a time of 45.67 seconds. To complete the events on the track, Senior Micaela Barry ran her first two mile ever finishing at 13:26. Taking second place for the Rebels, to steal 3 points away from Needham, Kristen Coyne finished at 12:46. Junior Jackie Applin PR’d crossing the line at 13:09.
In the field, sophomore Ashley Levya took third place for the Rebels scoring a point, Levya cleared the height of 4′ 2″. Senior Maddy Shea finished on top in long jump scoring 5 points for the rebels jumping a distance of 16′ 6.75″. Sophomore Katie Carter PR’d jumping a distance of 12’10”. Throwing the shot put, junior Ana Orfanidis grabbed third place for Walpole. Junior Erin LeBlanc PR’d throwing a distance of 23′ 7″. Shea continued to help the Rebels by receiving second place in the 55 meter dash. Sophomore Claire Rinne PR’d to finish in second place for Walpole running a time of 10.02 seconds. Sophomore Abby McMackin also PR’d taking third place for the Rebels finishing at 10.63 seconds.
Next Wednesday, January 6, the top two athletes in each event will compete in the Bay State Conference Championship. This meet is to perform as individual against the best athletes in the BayState. The girls who qualified for states will then continue on to States. These girls have been preparing for the competitive meets ahead of them and hope to end their seasons with their personal best.
