BOSTON — Peabody junior Alex Jackson stole the show Friday night at the MIAA Division 2 Track and Field Championship meet at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, setting meet and personal records in the shot put with a 60-06.00 throw.
His effort helped lead the Tanners to a fourth-place finish as a team with 40 points, behind winner North Andover,runner-up Wellesley and Algonquin Regional.
Jackson struggled a bit in the preliminary round, but found his form on his fifth attempt to best his previous PR by more than two feet.
“Alex was comfortable in his warmups and got into a good rhythm,” said Peabody throw coach Jay Smith. “His opening attempt (in the final) was technically sound, but he struggled with tempo the rest of the prelims.”
Smith said they talked before the final throws and “reframed his (Jackson’s) mindset.” After he threw 58-03 on the fourth throw, “we knew there was a lot left and that confidence carried him into his fifth throw and best attempt.”
According to Athletic.net, Jackson ranks No. 1 in Massachusetts and No. 13 nationally.
Juniors Evan Bedard (21-02.5) and Kobe Avery (PR 20-10) placed third and fourth, respectively, in the long jump. Declan Smith placed third in the mile (4:27.64) and Hannington Senfuma took sixth in the high jump (5-10). Peyton Smith (6th in the 55 hurdles, 8.12), Owen Brennan (6th in the 1,000), Brian Stevens (8th in the 600, 1:26.36), and the 4×200 team of Avery, Eli Batista, Abou Kaba and Doryln Morel (5th, 1:33.01) also scored points for the Tanners.
Smith said the sky’s the limit for Jackson.
“We’re still building and we hope for continued improvement through the rest of the championship season,” he said.
