With three league titles under his belt, and the area’s fastest 100-meter time this spring locked down, Greater Lawrence’s Gustavo Varela didn’t take more than a few moments to savor his monster day.
“It feels great,” said the senior. “But I can’t wait to beat those times next week!”
Varela delivered a dominant performance, winning the 100-meter and 200-meter and leading the victorious 4×100 relay at the Commonwealth Conference Upper Championship at Greater Lowell Tech.
His championship 100 time of 11.03 ranks No. 1 in the Eagle-Tribune region this spring — ahead of fellow Eagle-Tribune football All-Star Josh Kwakye of Methuen (11.10) — and shattered his personal record (11.18).
He also PRed on the way to winning the 200 (22.76) — his first time running under 23 seconds — good for fifth in the region. And the 4×100 ran the area’s fourth fastest time this season.
“It’s just been hard work day in and day out,” said Varela, who will next run at the Division 4 Championship starting Friday. “Showing up to practice, trying my best in all the drills, stretching and recovering the right way. And our new (sprint) coach Dante Correa has been a great addition.”
Cepeda triples up
Plagued by a leg injury as the postseason closed in, Whittier’s Mariely Cepeda entered the week with one simple goal — prove she was still the best in the Commonwealth Conference.
“I went to the meet with a chip on my shoulder, and something to prove,” she said. “And I did just that! Considering I’m coming back from a quadriceps injury, I couldn’t be more proud of myself.”
Cepeda also scored the sprint sweep, winning the 100 dash in 12.62 — second in the area to reigning Eagle-Tribune MVP Lauren Quarm (12.21) — and 200 (26.89) and leading the winning 4×100 relay (51.72).
“Winning the three championships was a huge achievement for me,” she said. “Now, I’m excited to see if I can push myself even harder at Divisionals.”
Melenciano keeps dominating
Greater Lawrence’s Elizardo Melenciano continued his brilliant spring with another commanding day at CACs.
The senior won the 110-meter hurdles (14.44, second in area), 400-meter hurdles (57.57, second in area) and 400-meter (51.54, second in area) and ran on the winning 4×100 relay.
“I’m very proud of myself for being able to uphold my status as the CAC’s fastest hurdle runner,” said Melenziano. “I’m grateful for being able to run with them for three years.”
Ortiz hurdles, jumps to titles
As the top seed in both hurdles events, Greater Lawrence’s Jaheidy Ortiz was determined to prove — once again — what made her the favorite.
That’s exactly what she did — on the way to winning girls Runner of the Meet.
The senior won the 100 hurdles (16.53) and 400 hurdles (1:11.63) — then added and the triple jump title (32-1.5) for good measure.
“Since I was predicted to win both hurdles, it’s a lot of expectation on me to keep that first place,” she said. “But that’s what pushes me. Those wins make me even more confident for (Division 4) States.
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