Wellesley doubles up Division 2 track titles
Most schools would be satisfied with winning a single state title in any sport.
SCHOOLS
Sweeping two at the same event is considered nearly impossible. But Wellesley became the latest to pull off the improbable feat. The Raiders cleaned up all the hardware last night, as they captured both the boys and the girls Division 2 indoor track titles at Reggie Lewis Center.
It was the third straight Div. 2 girls title for Wellesley. The Raiders were propelled by senior Anna JordahlHenry, who finished a double winner by setting a new personal record in the 300 dash (39.96), while placing first in the high jump (5-8). The Raiders also broke a meet record in the 4x400 (4:00.16) to close out the night.
“I’ve been doing this since freshman year,” JordahlHenry said. “Running event, high jumping, back and forth. Originally it was hectic. But I think I’ve gotten the hang of it. So I definitely have to take a few minutes to calm my breathing down so I can high jump. It’s a lot of fun. Meets are never dull.”
Not to be outdone, the boys would follow suit, edging second-place North Andover by four points in the standings. Throughout the year, Wellesley’s success has been predicated on their ability to dominate relay events, and the Raiders were up to the task once again.
Led by the team of Derek Chalmers, Ryan Reed, Colby Stakun-Pickerin and David Olson, Wellesley shattered a meet record in the 4x200 (1:29.88). Jason Norris, Jackson O’Toole, Colby Zarle and Bennett MacDougall combined to set a new meet record in the 4x800, finishing at 8:03.40. Chalmers provided the lone individual victory of the night, winning the long jump (22-5).
“Being called state champion for this feels absolutely incredible,” Chalmers said. “But at the same time, I don’t want to let it get to our heads, and realize that we have more competition coming up. And we need to train even harder, and if not, a lot more, and take it more seriously than we did before.”
An unsung hero from the night was Natick’s Grace Connolly. The senior powered the Redhawks to a second-place finish in the girls rankings, winning the 1,000meter run (2:59.69), and the mile (4:58.84). Her younger sister, sophomore Katherine Connolly proved to be an up-and-comer herself, winning the 2-mile with an astonishing time of 11:09.90.
Arlington track legend Ryan Oosting continued his dominant career, taking the boys 2-mile (9:25.48)
Boys basketball
Ben Soto led the way with 23 points and 15 rebounds, as Mystic Valley (15-3) clinched a share of the Commonwealth Athletic Conference Large title for the first time in program history with a 7159 victory over Greater Lowell.
Tim Johnson netted 20 points for Apponequet (12-6) as part of a 71-60 South Shore Conference crossover win over Bourne.
In the Tri-Valley League, juniors Pat Reilly and Jack Terzian scored 20 and 15 points respectively as West- wood (17-3) powered to a 10356 victory over Holliston.
Girls basketball
Ariel Carter dropped 15 points for Blue Hills (15-5) in a 46-23 win over Bristol-Plymouth, moving Warriors into first place in the Mayflower Athletic Large Division.
Brooke Guiffre tallied 24 points for Wellesley (15-2), to help clinch their first Bay State Conference Carey Division title with a 57-52 overtime victory against Natick (14-3), who received a strong performance from Brenna McDonald, racking up 16 points, 16 boards and seven blocks.