Connolly sets record, NA boys grab the lead
NORTH ANDOVER >> As Ryan Connolly made the final turn for home at Merrimack College on Friday, the North Andover track star knew he had a lead on the field. The only question was whether or not he would be able to complete his mission.
Despite a frightening conclusion, he ultimately succeeded, and made history in doing so. The Umass Amherst commit shattered a meet record in the boys 800-meter run, finishing with a time of 1:53.38 to open the annual MIAA Div. 2 track championships in style.
"I just had to take the lead and push," Connolly said. "Coming down the last stretch, my legs were not feeling great. I was a little tired because I was pushing the back stretch hard. I knew the Concordcarlisle kid was on me. So, I knew the biggest goal for me was to get the 10 points for my team … and the record came with it. I didn't realize I was going to get the school or the meet record, so I'm really happy with the race today."
North Andover entered the meet looking to defend its Div. 2 boys outdoor track and field crown, and got off to a hot start by accumulating 53 points on the opening day. In a photo finish, Connolly would edge Concord-carlisle's Henry Reichle by .19 seconds during the 800. The Scarlet Knights also were the beneficiary of a great performance from junior Ethan Belongia, who went on to place first in the pole vault (11 feet, 6 inches).
Keenan Gosselin (149-07 feet) and Nathan Jacques (142-07) finished second and third, respectively, for North Andover during the discus throw, while Caleb Agbor placed first in the pentathlon. Now Steve Nugent's group will look to close things out Sunday, up 21 points over second-place Hopkinton.
"It's no doubt a good feeling to be in the position we are," said Nugent. "But Hopkinton has a team and a half, and there's a bunch of other teams, too. They're loaded. They're the ones who won the relay meet this year. Even if we're up in points, I still feel like we're chasing them."
Meanwhile, Woburn began its chase for the Div. 2 girls outdoor track and field title Friday thanks to a boost from Sinead Butler. The sophomore went on to win the two mile run (11:04.13), as the Tanners took a lead on the field with 34 points.
"I was going into the race, saying to myself, ‘I want to get top-five,' "said Butler. "I had a lot left with 800 meters to go. Down there, I thought that if I wanted to pass her, I'd (have) to sprint. So I literally went all out the last 300."
The Tanners were also paced by freshman standout Nicole Gangi in the 400-meter hurdles (1:03.15), while senior Cyndea Labissiere went on to win the pentathlon competition.
Among the impressive individual performances from the day, Boston Latin junior Colin Fisher became the first athlete in school history to set a record at a Div. 2 outdoor track championship, winning the boys two mile run with a mark of 9:13.55.
"I knew my kick was strong," Fisher said. "I haven't run the two mile too much. But I knew if I was in there with a few laps to go, I'd be able to succeed pretty well here today."