This was the meet Kyla Breslin had been waiting for.
A year suffering a season-ending injury, causing her to drop out mid-race while in the lead, the Central Catholic star is a divisional champion.
Breslin delivered a blazing 18:19.70 over the Wrentham Developmental Center’s 5,000-meter course, taking home the Division 1C title at the MIAA Division Championships on Saturday.
“It feels really good to come back from last year’s injury and perform so well,” said Breslin. “Last year definitely didn’t end the way I wanted it to, so I’m very grateful to come back and do this today.”
Breslin finished well ahead of the runner-up in her race, Billerica’s Kylie Donahue (18:28.19), and her time was more than a minute better than the next fastest local competitor in any division — her teammate Calista King (13th, 19:48.90).
“There was a great group of competitive girls today that really pushed me,” sad Breslin. “My body and breathing felt very good, and that was definitely a big confidence boost during the race. I’m just very grateful to see all the work I put in to build up my endurance and strength pay off, and I’m very proud of the results today.”
In Division 1B, North Andover’s Julia Kroon took an area-best 15th (19:56.20), while Andover’s Rose Kiley was the top local finisher in Division 1A (31st, 20:04.30).
Zoss takes second
The goals were clear for Andover’s Landon Zoss before the season even starter — a big finish at the Divisional Championships, and breaking the Andover High record.
On Saturday, he did both.
The junior grabbed second in the Division 1A boys race in 15:39.10.
“This race meant the world to me,”he said. “It’s been my goal since the start of the summer to break my schools record and today I did it! I’ve also been preparing for this race outside of practice by visualizing the race and eating healthy.
“In the race I took it out fast, but controlled staying in the top group. Through mile two I knew I was right on pace for the record and I had to start giving it everything. I started shifting faster passing everyone I could to move into second. In the last 100 meters I knew it was going to come down to a few seconds if I was going to break the record and hold off third place. In the end I was able to get it by two seconds, while placing second!!! This has been an amazing race and I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Pinkerton takes third
Led once again by their tremendous depth, Pinkerton took home second place at CNESSPA New Englands — Masachssetts does not participate — on Saturday at Thetford (Vt.) Academy.
The Astros scored an 87, behind just Rhode Island power Bishop Hendricken (58) and well ahead of No. 3 Greenwich (Conn., 214).
Pinkerton scored six top-15 finishers, led by Jason Robie (No. 12, 16:44.65), Sean Hayes (No. 21, 16:58.27) and Trainor Mailloux (No. 27, 17:07.63).
MIAA Divisional Girls Track
Local team scores: Central Catholic (4th, Division 1C), North Andover (7th, Division 1B), Andover (10th, Division 1A), Haverhill (13th, Division 1A)
Locals in top-50
Division 1C: 1. Kyla Breslin (Central Catholic) 18:19.70, 13. Calista King (CC) 19:48.90, 39. Olivia Scatamacchia (CC) 21:08.70, 47. Kim Gieng (CC) 21:28.10
Division 1B: 15. Julia Kroon (North Andover) 19:56.20, 32. Elisa Castro (NA) 20:46.70, 48. Carly Peterson (NA) 21:09.70
Division 1A: 31. Rose Kiley (Andover) 20:04.30, 34. Alexia Chege (And) 20:26.60, 39. Madison Howard (Haverhill) 20:29.70; Emalyn Proia (Hav) 20:47.70
MIAA Divisional Boys Track
Local team scores: North Andover (4th, Division 1B), Central Catholic (11th, Division 1C), Andover (14th, Division 1A)
Locals in top-50
Division 1C: 26. Noah Ruggiero (Central Catholic) 17:01.70, 48. Wesley Otero (CC) 17:39.20
Division 1B: 23. William Thomas (North Andover) 16:39.80, 27. Brogan Zwinggi (NA) 16:47.30; 31. Tucker LaRosa (NA) 16:49.80, 45. Liam Rand (NA) 17:03.70, 46. Nicolas Floresquero-Llamas (NA) 17:03.80
Division 1A: 2. Landon Zoss (Andover) 15:39.10; Also: 65. John Fantry (Methuen) 17:27.20
CNESSPA New Englands
Top-5 boys team scores (30 teams scored): 1. Bishop Hendricken (R.I.) 58, 2. Pinkerton 87, 3. Greenwich (Conn.) 214, 4. Coe-Brown (N.H.) 269, 5. Chaplain Valley Union (Vt.) 288
Girls team scores (30 teams scored): 11. Pinkerton 334
Top boys Pinkerton finishers: 12. Jason Robie 16:44.65, 21. Sean Hayes 16:58.27, 27. Trainor Mailloux 17:07.63, 30. Joe Gustavson 17:10.81, 39. Austin Cipriano 17:16.09, 45. Oscar D’Amelio 17:21.71
Top girls Pinkerton finishers: 48. Sookie Folsom 20:30.68, 59. Kalisan Marzolf 20:44.16, 90. Gabrielle Bedard 21:02.29