Local fifth-graders compete in four-day track meet

More than 950 fifth-graders competed in the second-annual Lynn fifth-grade track and field meet that was held at Manning Field over the span of four days at the end of May. Organizer Joe Abelon called it “one of the biggest events of its kind in the country.” Fifth-graders from the 18 elementary schools in Lynn competed in running events (a 50-meter, 100-meter or 200-meter race), a softball throw, long jump and relay races. The event was created and organized by the Lynn Public Schools and the Lynn Parks and Recreation Department, and run with the help of over 400 volunteers from Lynn Classical High School, Lynn English High School and Lynn Vocational Technical Institute.
The meet, which runs over four school days after exams are over for the students, was created in place of the fifth-grade cross country competition that had been held in the fall at Gannon Golf Course. The fall event had many entries, but the spring track meet was created during a less busy time of the year for students.
This year, the Sisson Elementary girls? team won with 29.5 points, and Tracy Elementary, Callahan Elementary and Aborn Elementary tied for second with 22 points each. Harrington Elementary?s boys? team won with 40.5 total points, while the Lincoln-Thomson squad came in second with 20 and Sisson took third with 19 points.
On the girls side, several meet records were broken by the participants. Sisson?s Britney Edukugho set the new record for the 100 at 15.1 seconds, Kylia Reynoso from Drewicz Elementary broke the 200 record (31.2), and Sisson?s Angelina Zubricki set a new record in the standing long jump at 7 feet, 8 inches. The Tracy 4×100 relay team ran a meet-best 1:09.6.
The boys? record breakers included Connery?s Romane Bellevue in the 50 (7.9), Harrington?s Elvin Maria Sepulveda in the 200 (29.6), Hood Elementary?s Kevin Martinez in the softball throw (165-3) and Cobbet?s Lieu Wilson in the long jump (8-7).
The meet is an all-inclusive affair, regardless of skill level.
?Everyone can get involved,” said Abelon. “It was a wonderful time, with all of the kids cheering for their classmates. They were ecstatic. It was a spectacle.”Katie Morrison may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @KatieMo61.