PHOTO BY SPENSER HASAK
Elizabeth Rozon running the hurdles for the Bulldogs.
By KATIE MORRISON
The Classical boys’ track team was able to come all the way back from a large deficit, winning the final four events of the night. But in the end, they couldn’t complete the comeback and fell, 43-42, to Lynn English on Thursday night at Lynn Tech.
English dominated the field events, with James Cabral taking first in the high jump (5 feet, 8 inches), and Dan Calnan winning the shot put (39-11). English’s Matt Moorehouse won the 50-meter hurdles (7.4 seconds) and teammate Jalil Gibson won the 50-meter dash (5.7).
Classical earned their first first-place finish of the night as Issa Jalloh won the 300 (40.7). English’s Joshua Osawe took first in the 600 (1:32.2), but then the Rams started to inch back into the contest.
Gilley Kambamba took first in the 1000 for Classical (2:56.1), Rams’ Thomas Mackin won the mile (5:19) and their teammate Junior Mejia won the 2-mile (11:53.6). Classical finished the night with a win in the 4×400 relay, but it wouldn’t be enough to grab the win.
It was a different story on the girls’ side, as Classical dominated the Bulldogs, winning, 58-28.
The Bulldogs got first-place finishes from Elizabeth Rozon in the high jump (4-8), Victoria Ogundipe in the shot put (27-10) and Yasmin Bonner in the 1000 (3:35.5). Otherwise, it was all Classical.
The Rams were strong in the short-distance races, with Devyn Astuccio winning the 50 hurdles (7.8), Agnes Bangura taking the 50 (6.3), Mary Jok winning the 300 (50.0) and Rhode Alcindor winning the 600 (2:02.6). Rachel Jordan won the mile for Classical (6:48.6) and Laurie Rodriguez took the 2-mile (15:12.7).
GIRLS’ TRACK
Saugus 49, Salem 31
The Sachems saw first-place finishes from Victoria Sparages in the high jump (4-10) and 600 (2:00.7), Ailyn Minaya in the shot put (32-0) and the 50 (6.7), Kylie Ronan in the 300 (48.4), Emily Monaco in the 1000 (3:37.3) and Alexis Nickole in the 2-mile (14:00).
Virginia Martinez (mile, 7:03.3) and Yalien Hernandez-Almonte (50 hurdles, 8.1) had the only first-place finishes for Saugus.
BOYS’ TRACK
Salem 53, Saugus 33
The Sachems were strong in the field events, with Nick Silva winning the high jump (5-8) and Brendan Grocki taking the shot put (40-9). But the running events all went to the Witches.
Jaden Oliver finished first in the 50 hurdles for Salem (7.2), Jeffrey Rodriguez won the 50 (5.8), Giovanny Guzman won the 300 (42.0), Xavier Cole won the 600 (1:46.8), Jan Colon won the 1000 (3:15.9), Patrick Collins won the mile (5:44.4) and Shawn Small won the 2-mile (11:49.4).
SWIMMING AND DIVING
Marblehead 98, Lynn Classical 83
The Magicians’ win was highlighted by Katie Walker’s record-breaking diving performance. Walker broke the Northeastern Conference record, scoring a 298.35.
The Marblehead girls’ 400-yard freestyle team of Ellie Ronan, Grace Maguire, Meagan Hathaway and Kylie Cronin also had a big day, qualifying for the state tournament (3:52.5)
Other wins for the Magicians included Zack Michaels in the 200 freestyle (1:69.07), Ronan in the 200 individual medley (2:14) and 100 backstroke (1:14.16), Cronin in the 100 fly (1:01.20), Maguire in the 500 freestyle (5:49.02) and Amanda Wager in the 100 breaststroke (1:15.04).
Though the Rams fell to the tough Marblehead squad, Classical coach Denise Silva was pleased with her team’s performance.
“There were a lot of terrific performances, and a lot of improvement,” said Silva. “It was great to see so many great swimmers and divers in the pool. Everyone reached down deep and performed well.”
Sara Sirois finished second in diving, but re-broke her own Lynn High Schools women’s diving record, scoring a 273.85.
Kevin Chasse had a big day as well, finishing first in the 50 freestyle and qualifying for the Northeastern Conference sectionals in the 100 freestyle. He was also part of the 200 freestyle relay team that qualified for sectionals with Eric Macorri, Alex Pedro and Craig Mordaunt.
The Rams also saw personal bests from Simon Kazimierczyk in the 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke, as well as from Carly Mendonca in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke.
Cardinal Spellman 84, St. Mary’s 77
The Spartans fell on the road, but the St. Mary’s swimmers are seeing their times improve with every meet.
Eve Smith came in first in the 200 individual medley (2:30.10) and the 100 backstroke (1:07.68). Meanwhile, eighth-grader Gabi Marchese accomplished something few swimmers her age are able to, qualifying for the Catholic Central League sectionals in the 100 fly (1:07.41), cutting a second off her time from the previous night. She also won the 500 free (6:13.15).
“She was so excited,” Spartans coach Michelle Brewster.
In Wednesday night’s meet against Bishop Fenwick, the 200 freestyle relay team, consisting of Marchese, Smith, Dami Rodriguez and Katia DiCostanzo qualified for the CCL sectionals (1:58.53). Smith also qualified for the state competition in the 200 individual medley, and has come within two seconds of qualifying for states in the 200 backstroke as well.
Beverly 99, English 86
The Bulldogs swam well against a tough Panthers team, but fell on the road..
Brandon Musaku finished first for English (2-2) in the 50 freestyle, Matt Bruno won the 100 butterfly, and Peter Phelan took first in the 100 breaststroke.
“We had a lot of second-place finishes and personal best times,” said English coach Lisa Trahant. “It was a very close meet.”
Swampscott 97, Gloucester 83
The Big Blue (2-3) got a full team effort to top Gloucester at home on Thursday. The 200 medley relay team of Caitlyn Rogers, Emily Guo, Kasey Kennedy and Tessa Diaz took first (2:20.09), while Kennedy finished first in the 200 individual medley (2:30.13) and Guo grabbed first in the 200 freestyle (2:22.31). Rachel Rooklin set a new personal best in the 50 free (1:50.68), cutting seven seconds off her time.
Salem 80, Peabody 68
The Witches took first place in eight of the 12 events to beat Peabody. Renne Venico, Amy Nguyen and Grace Theriault swept the 50 freestyle for Salem. Other first place finishers for the Witches included senior captain Reshelle Venico in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke, Aidan Keenan in the 100 freestyle, and the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay teams, which included newcomers Lily Jerzylo and Owen Clyne.
The Tanners may not have come out on top of this one, but Peabody coach Maureen Shea saw significant achievements from her small squad.
“While Peabody has the smallest squad in the conference, all members have produced results for the team, and many continue to show significant improvements meet-to-meet,” said Shea. ”For example, each of the first place finishers in individual events this evening also achieved their career best times or scores.”
Peabody captain Paige Hayward won the diving portion with her new career-high score of 229. Captain Conor McCarthy won the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke events with career-high times in both events. Also achieving a career-bests were Alyssa Bettencourt in the 100 backstroke, Shaelyn Kelley in the 100 freestyle, Nicole Lavoie in the 100 butterfly, and Nicole O’Neill in the 100 freestyle.
Also achieving a first place finish was the 200-yard relay team of Hayward, McCarthy, Nichole O’Neill, and Tom Zalewski.
