After a successful spring season, the leading competitors for both the boys and girls track teams headed to Cawley Stadium in Lowell on May 29 for the Emass Division II State Championships. The athletes that attended this meet ran various events, and were from every grade. Personal records were set by a few runners on the team, and many others were satisfied with their results.
The top girl sprinters on the team ran outstanding times in all events. In the 200 meter event, sophomore Erin McCarthy finished 11th (27.37) , followed by junior Caroline Malone who finished 25th (28.85). For the 400 meter, freshman Maddy Shea stepped up and finished 11th with a personal record of 1:00.87 and right behind her was senior Kelly Burke finishing 19th with a 1:04.06. Senior Erica Hawley once again outshined, finishing 6th in the 100m hurdles (15.71), second in the high jump (5-02.00), and was the second leg in the 4×100 relay which finished 16th and consisted of Malone, McCarthy, and junior Amanda Carney (52.68). Carney was also successful in her jumping events finishing 14th in the long jump (14-07.00) and 6th in the triple jump (34-02.25). For another throwing event, the javelin, junior Kristan Papirio finished 24th (86-04) and Jacey Dold finished only a few places behind her in 30th (77-09).
Only a few Walpole runners participated in the distance events, but those few individuals excelled in their races. First off, junior Brigette Lawton came in 25th, with a 2:32.05 in the 800 meter. The 2 mile race had junior Courtney Shea finishing 19th, matching her previous record with a 12:18.77. And, senior Amanda Waldron with a personal record finishing 26th in the two mile with a 12:30.70. For the boys distance, senior Ben Goula finished 16th in the 800 meter with a time of 2:01.68. Ryan Doherty, also a senior, ran the one mile finishing 14th with a 4:43.21. Three of Walpole’s best distance runners ran together in the 2 mile, junior Dave Wians in 14th (10:05.79), sophomore Justin Connolly in 15th (10:07.96), and sophomore Zach Ganshirt in 19th (10:15.68).
Junior Alex Lee finished 10th in the 100 meter (11.39), and junior Jackson Paslaski finished 15th in the long jump (18-07.25) and 8th in the 110m hurdles (15.85). Also competing in the 110m hurdles was freshman Connor McCarthy who placed 22nd with 16.76, and closely tailing was Conor Murtagh who placed 23rd with a 16.78. Andy Lewis placed 32nd in the longer hurdle event, 400m, with a 1:04.82. For the 4×100 sprinting relay, Goula, Lee, senior Joe Gallagher, and junior Mike Gilmartin came in 18th with a time of 46.17. And lastly, Chris Tetreault, senior, had an off day for discus, coming short of his personal record.
The season was brought to a close with the well-organized banquet by the supportive Track Boosters. Many members of the team received varsity letters and achievement awards. With a successful regular season and post-season, both the girls and boys track team coaches and members are pleased with their results and placement in the league. Both teams are looking forward to next year’s spring season, with hopes to becoming an even better team.
