BOSTON — Is there no catching the Peabody boys’ and girls’ track teams this year?
Based on the way they are trending as they head into the upcoming state championship meets, it’s hard to bet against either team.
The Tanners added another chapter to the Peabody High track legacy at the Reggie Lewis Center on Sunday, winning two more Northeastern Conference Championship titles.
The boys dominated with 132 points, well ahead of runner-up Beverly (69) and Marblehead (68.66). Masconomet (59), Danvers (35), Swampscott (21), Gloucester (18), Winthrop (3) and Saugus (2.33) also competed.
The Lady Tanners had a closer call, coming out on top with 80 points, just three ahead of runner-up Marblehead. Masconomet was third (66), followed by Beverly (53), Danvers (48), Swampscott (35), Gloucester (30) and Saugus (14).
Boys’ team head coach Fernando Braz said the key was “balance and depth,” along with a little elbow grease.
“The preparation leading up to the meet by athletes and coaches and the meet day focus on details resulted in outstanding performances and a team win,” Braz said.
Riley Michaud was the Tanners’ top performer. He won the high jump (6-00) and finished second in the long jump with a PR of 20-11.5.
Alex Jackson, fresh off a strong weight throw showing at the prestigious Millrose Games, won the shot put with a meet-record 61-07.05. Evan Bedard won the long jump with a meet-record leap of 22-03 and also finished third in the 55 dash with a PR 6.71. Peyton Smith set a school record in the 55 hurdles (7.76) and qualified for nationals. Declan Smith won the 1000 meters (2:36.24) and also placed second in the high jump (SR 5-10).
Other top Tanners included Mohammed Lhassouani, second in the 1000 (PR 2:40.68); Areno Saint-Victor (46-07.5), second in the shot put and Juan Rivera, third in the long jump (20-07.5).
The team of Bedard, Henry Sawyer, Tyler Rappold, and Peyton Smith (1:32.67) placed second in the 4×200 relay, while Olar Mishal, Brian Stevens, Lhassouani and Declan Smith placed second in the 4×400 relay (3:33.46). Osama Mishal, Jackson Guerriero, Matt McCusker, and Rivera placed third in the 4×800 relay (9:09.72).
Lauren Foley and Alessandra Forgione led the way for the Lady Tanners. Foley won the 600 with a PR of 1:40.68 and also anchored the first-place 4×400 relay team with Avery Marcus, Maya Sutton, and Ava Champigny (4:21.22).
Forgione won the shot put (36-11.5). Makayla Kokonezis placed second in the high jump (5-02). Jane Haight (3:18.44) and Marcus (3:20.27) placed second in the 1000. Ella Braz (5:30.45) finished second in the mile.
The 4×800 relay team of Brooke Lomasney, Lily Furcal, Haight, and Braz finished second (10:46.33).
Marblehead’s Nathaniel Assa and Paige Treadwell were double winners. Assa won the mile (PR 4:20.09) and 2-mile (9:42.08), while Treadwell won the 55 hurdles (9.03) and high jump (5-02). Teammates, Jacob Szalewicz won the 600 (PR 1:23,73), while Ava Machado won the 55 dash (7.43). Other Magicians placing in the top three included Elise Burchfield, second in the 55 hurdles (9.05) and long jump (PR 12-11.25); Lucy Flynn, third in the 300 (44.87) and Lillian Reddy, third in the shot put (29-07.5).
On the boys’ side, Noah Jackson (8.44) finished third in the 55 hurdles.
Swampscott’s Miles Brown, Simon Brown, Anthony Colella, and Hunter Hersey won the 4×800 relay (8:42.72). Anabelle Averett won the girl’s mile (5:26.86) and Collette Heil won the 2-mile (11:44.86).
For Saugus, the top performers were Soraya Matthieu and Connor Bloom. Matthieu placed third in the 55 (PR 7.56), while Bloom finished fourth in the high jump (5-08). Angie Lopez, Layla Manderson, Destiny Okaye, and Mattieu finished third in the 4×200 relay (1:53.13). Okaye also placed fifth in the high jump (4-10).
