Results Courtesy of Northeast Sports Timing
NH had a day yesterday! Several New England champs, a couple state records and a number of podiums hallmarked the 78th New England Championships in New Britain, CT. This despite being greeted with unseasonably cooler temperatures. Compared to last week’s near perfect conditions where many a new state record was set, yesterday would present the similar weather challenges Granite State athletes have dealt with all season long.
Girls
We have to begin with offering our hearty congratulations to NH’s New England Champions! Let’s begin with ladies from Exeter as the NH Champs in the 4×800 relay became New England Champions. This one needed the entire 3200 meters to decide as Exeter’s anchor Alexis Paterna out-leaned Greenwich, CT at the line to give the Blue Hawks the title 9:09.87 to 9:09.94!
Hopkinton’s Maddy Lane, fresh off her MOC win, was the #1 seed entering the meet, but this is New Englands and Maine Champ, Houlton’s Teanne Ewings also made her work all the way to the tape. After several lead changes, Lane was able to gain a half a step on her by the line winning in 10:32.66 to 10:32.89.
In the field, congrats to Timberlane’s All American Danielle Bates on her New England Outdoor Title in the High Jump as she cleared 5’7″ to win. The 2nd seed coming in, the sophomore actually won on less misses over Ella Palisano who also cleared 5’7″. Bedford’s Ruby Kaupp made it a NH sweep in the vertical jumps clearing 12’0″ to become New England Champ in the pole vault.
Although she may not have gone home as a champion, Concord’s Grace Saysaw certainly had a historical day as she placed 2nd and broke the state records in both the 100 and 200 meters. The 200 was her own state record which she broke earlier this season, but the 100 was the record she has come oh-so-close to breaking. And even on cool day, Saysaw finally broke through with a legal wind to clock 12.00!
While Saysaw picked up 2 runner-up placings, Nashua North senior Jhanelle Thomas nabbed 2 third places in both hurdle events. She clocked 14.84 in the Highs and 44.77 in the 300m hurdles to claim the double bronze in her final high school meet.
Oyster River’s senior Haley Kavanagh nabbed 2nd in the 1600 clocking 4:55.10. Also making podium as North’s Laura White who placed 5th in 4:57.33. Pinkerton’s 4×100 relays placed 5th to be the final Granite State team to make podium on the girls side of things.
Boys
Pinkerton’s super soph Travis Cavallo made podium in the 100 placing 5th in 10.85. Winnacunnet’s Ryan Zumbach, the NH MOC Champ placed 4th in the 800 in 1:53.93. Hanover’s Andrew Valentino ran an incredibly intelligent relaxed race starting in last place staying out of the fray through the mile. He then worked his way through the field for a huge PR to place 4th overall in 9:12.21.
Winnacunnet’s Ryan Jamison made the podium in the 300m Hurdles placing 6th in 38.69. While not making podium Monadnock’s Gavin Lombara certainly had a noteworthy day placing 7th in the High Hurdles and 8th in the 300 Hurdles.
Looking at the relays, Pinkerton’s 4×100 placed 2nd overall crossing in 41.93 to Bunnell, CT’s 41.88. Salem boys began NH’s day on the track with a surprise 3rd place 4×800 finish! Seeded with an 8:00 season’s best time from MOCs, Salem dropped a near 8 seconds to clock an incredible 7:52. And finally, Jamison and Zumbach joined NH 400 state record holder Owen Janetos on the 4×400 to reclaim the state record and place 3rd in 3:21.18!
In the field, Pinkerton’s Charles Franks took 2nd with a mark of 185’5″. South’s Preston Bois finished just off the podium in 7th in the pole vault clearing 13’6″. Pelham’s Osinachi Nwabueze placed 4th in the Long Jump with a 22’3.25″ leap while Mascoma’s Barnaby Diehn took 6th in the discus with a toss of 166’2″.
