Merrimack Invitational Meet Hub
The 2026 Merrimack Invitational is a championship caliber meet which for years has essentially marked the beginning of the championship season if-you-will. It is usually highlighted by extremely strong performances across all events. Some of its appeal certainly emanates from the meet being limited to 15 teams and being held under the lights. With rain in the forecast, athletes will face an added challenge, but expect some great results nonetheless.
Sprint Events Promise Fireworks
The boys’ 100 meters could be one of the best competitions of the meet. Pinkerton sophomore Winston George enters with a blazing 10.78 seed and faces major pressure from Nashua North senior Kobe Perry (10.82). Alvirne’s Jaden Taylor (11.08) and Pinkerton teammate Michael Duarte (11.20) could also threaten the podium in what looks like a loaded final. Coe-Brown sophomore Jackson Doran (11.54) may be a dark horse to sneak into scoring position.
The boys’ 200 appears equally loaded. Souhegan senior Brody Smith enters as the favorite at 21.90, with George (22.11), Alvirne’s Jeremiah Caraballo-Sophos (22.29), and Perry (22.68) all capable of challenging for the title.
On the girls’ side, the 100-meter dash could showcase one of the best sprint matchups of the meet. Coe-Brown sophomore Lilah Fitzpatrick (12.63) is the top seed just in front of Nashua North star Allison Frye (12.69) and Pinkerton senior Nora Brayall (12.76). Seacoast Frosh/Soph champ, Portsmouth’s Leiana Cory (12.82) and Nashua North’s Allie Dandeneau (12.85) make this an incredibly tight field.
The girls’ 200 centers around Timberlane senior superstar Charlotte Beaudoin, whose 25.36 seed time stands well ahead of the field. Nashua North freshman Abigail Azevedo (25.88) and Fitzpatrick (26.39) look like the strongest challengers, while Brayall and Coe-Brown’s Riley Hawkes should also factor into scoring.
Quarter-Milers and Middle Distance Could Deliver Some Drama
The boys’ 400 appears wide open, with Salem’s Matthew Grimes (51.68), Pinkerton’s Duarte (51.74), Souhegan’s Thomas Arnoldy (52.16), and Dover’s John Bellerose (52.18) separated by less than half a second. That race could come down to the final straightaway.
Girls fans should circle the 400 as one of the premier races of the meet. Beaudoin enters as the clear favorite at 56.96. Wow what a run down out Loucks Games this past weekend! Pinkerton freshman Naomi Ebhaleme (59.20) and Portsmouth’s Cory (59.26) could make things interesting for 2nd place.
The boys’ 800 should be outstanding. Londonderry senior Carson Fitzgerald enters at 1:57.25, but Nashua South’s Isaiah Rodriguez (1:59.85), Exeter’s Wally Dangora (2:01.63), and Nashua North’s Bunhour Chea (2:01.85) are close enough to challenge. This race could easily turn tactical before becoming a sprint finish over the final 200 meters.
The girls’ 800 may belong to Souhegan’s Samantha Swanbon, who enters with a top seed of 2:23.11. Pinkerton’s Nicole Blake and Exeter’s Danica Caron sit right behind and could create a tightly packed lead group.
Distance Events!
The boys’ 1600 is loaded with storylines. Londonderry senior Josh Twomey enters as the heavy favorite as the top seed at 4:26.37. Coe-Brown’s duo of Ben Larson (4:39.98) and Gus Glaser (4:40.67) will be right in the hunt to podium. Souhegan sophomore Jacob Spencer and Merrimack’s Cooper Lanteigne should also factor into the race. Matter of fact with 7 guys seeded within seconds of one another, expect some great battles!!!
Glancing at the boys’ 3200 and one can’t help but notice Coe-Brown’s three reps in the top 6 seeds. Sophomore Patrick Youngs enters tied for the fastest seed at 9:37.34, barely ahead of Salem’s Lucas Gomez (9:37.70). Freshman Samuel Youngs (9:44.76) and ninth grader Broden Cox (9:55.42) give Coe-Brown tremendous depth in the event. Expect Gomez to make a big play for the win, but also don’t let the seeds fool you. Pinkerton’s venerable veteran, Trainor Mailloux as well as Londonderry’s Patrick Ramsey will certainly factor in. Is Mailloux the true favorite? Also a dark horse has to be the forever smiling Pinekrton’s Oscar D’Amelio.
The girls’ 1600 appears exceptionally competitive, led by Alvirne sophomore Olivia Cartagena (5:18.80), Exeter’s Eli Cross (5:25.21), and Coe-Brown junior Annabelle Lovett (5:26.07). Alvirne freshman Makenna Simpson could emerge as a major storyline after entering at 5:27.55. Cartegena seems to have the hot hand currently!
The girls’ 3200 could produce one of the closest finishes of the meet. Concord’s Mahalie Burdette (11:50.55), Exeter sophomore Ashleigh MacEachern (11:52.82), and Londonderry’s Anna Laufersweiler (11:59.71) are separated by less than ten seconds entering the meet. Coe-Brown’s Eloise Hill adds another strong contender.
Hurdles and Relays Could Swing Team Scores
The boys’ hurdles should be some of the best races of the meet: however, the strong favorite in both events has to be Alvirne’s Joey Marcotte, whose 14.64 in the 110 hurdles and 38.93 in the 300 hurdles make him the athlete to beat. Coe-Brown’s Brogan Grzybowski and Pinkerton’s talented hurdle corps, led by John Child, Oliver Gould, and Gavin Edgecomb will push him throughout the meet. Look for
On the girls’ side, Coe-Brown standout Bristol Shirland enters as the favorite in the 100 hurdles (15.27), while Pinkerton’s Abigail Stienecker looms as a major challenger. The 300 hurdles could swing toward Stienecker, whose 45.00 seed stands out over the field. Nashua North’s Allison Frye will be her chief competitor in the intermediates.
In the relays, Pinkerton’s boys own a commanding 42.03 seed in the 4×100, but Memorial and Alvirne could challenge. The boys’ 4×400 may be one of the meet’s best relay battles, with Coe-Brown (3:29.99), Dover (3:31.29), and Alvirne (3:32.80) separated by just a few seconds.
The girls’ 4×100 could become a showdown between Coe-Brown (50.77) and Exeter (50.89), while Pinkerton’s loaded lineup appears favored in the 4×400 with a 4:04.23 seed.
Field Events Loaded With Talent As Well!
The boys’ throws should be elite. Pinkerton’s Thomas Blaszka headlines the shot put at 50-5.75, but Alvirne’s Charles Barrett and Concord’s Travis Dunbar are legitimate challengers. Barrett enters discus as the favorite with a huge 157-2 mark, while Nashua South’s Sawyer Penny tops the javelin at 166-4.
In jumps, Concord sophomore Thomas Saysaw leads the boys’ triple jump at 46-4.75, while Memorial freshman Joel Elliott tops long jump at 21-7. Don’t sleep on Gould, Marcotte or Bois here though. Pole Vault could become a battle between Nashua South’s Preston Bois (14-6) and Pinkerton’s Ian Magnan (13-6).
The girls’ field events offer plenty of intrigue. Timberlane’s Danielle Bates leads both high jump (5-8) and long jump (16-6.5), making her one of the meet’s most versatile athletes. Coe-Brown’s Elizabeth Joy enters the javelin as the favorite at 110-9, while Pinkerton sophomore Avery Trask headlines shot put (38-11.25). Windham senior Brynn Johnson could be dominant in the discus after entering at 118-1.
By the end of Thursday, if the weather is manageable, the Merrimack Invitational should provide a much clearer picture of who is ready to emerge as a championship contender. Good luck to all!
