Kaylie Dalgar just wrapped up one of the finest careers a Daily News area distance runner has ever achieved.
The headliner: Five State Championships.
Our 2024 Daily News Outdoor Track MVP, Dalgar made sure to end her four-year run at Pentucket Regional in style. The UMass Amherst commit finished up as a four-time Daily News Cross Country All-Star (1x MVP, 2023), and was also a Daily News Indoor Track All-Star this winter before now adding another MVP nod to the ever-growing list of accomplishments.
And arguably nobody dominated quite like Dalgar did in the distance events.
Dalgar won the Mile at every single CAL regular season meet, and also added victories at the BSR Mid-Distance Classic out of a field of 50 athletes (5:12.38, new meet record), as well as the popular MSTCA Weston Twilight Invitational in her second-fastest time of the season (5:03.46). The regular season also included a DMR victory alongside Brighton Seymour, Regan Breen and Cece Cammett at the Division 5 State Relays in school-record time (13:01.28).
Not surprisingly, there was no slowing down during the postseason meets.
At the CAL Open, Dalgar started off her day by winning the Mile (5:04.87), then teamed up with Carly Foley, Seymour and Cammett to also win the 4×800 relay (10:15.62). She then moved on to the Division 5 State Meet and again won the Mile to crown herself a state champion (5:14.26), before joining the same 4×800 team that took fourth to reach the podium (10:07.11, 4th all-time in school history). Meet of Champions was more of the same, with Dalgar breaking the school record in the 2-Mile to finish 17th (11:10.00), while also placing 14th in the Mile (5:08.29).
Finally, Dalgar ended the spring by traveling out to Nike Outdoor Nationals, where she broke the school record in the 1500 to take 20th (4:41.91), ran her fastest Mile time of the year to finish 21st (5:02.91), and also was 20th in the 1600 (5:01.02) — all in the Emerging Elite Division.
And what a senior year it was.
Dalgar broke the Pentucket indoor school record in the Mile during the winter season (5:00.51), where she also won the Division 5 State Championship in both the Mile and with the 4×800 relay. Then during the fall, she beat out 179 other competitors to win the individual championship at the Division 3 State Meet, crossing the Fort Devens 5K finish line in 18:57.12.
Bayleigh Shanahan
Amesbury, Sr., 100/400 hurdles/LJ
Talented multi-sport star ended her high school career being named the CAL Baker Athlete of the Year. Was the area’s top sprinter during the indoor season (7.58 in the 55), and carried that over to the spring. Ran on the second-place 4×100 shuttle hurdle team at the Division 6 State Relays (1:12.33). Had a big day at the CAL Open, placing third in the 400 hurdles (1:07.08), fourth in the 100 (12.88) and fifth in the long jump (16-2.25). Went on to the Division 6 State Meet and was third in the 400 hurdles (1:06.90), and fourth in both the 100 (12.85) and the pentathlon (2524 points). Is third all-time in Amesbury history in both the 100 (12.74, 2024) and 200 (27.67, 2023), and fourth in the long jump (16-2.75, 2024). Will continue her track career at the University of Maine. Was a star defender for the soccer team over her career.
Blake Parker
Newburyport, Sr., 800/relays
Leaves Newburyport High an incredible seven-time Daily News All-Star. Was a perfect four-time Daily News Outdoor Track All-Star, along with being a two-time Indoor Track All-Star and one-time Cross Country All-Star. Main events this spring were the 800 and the 4×400 relay. The CAL Open champion in both the 800 (2:22.81) and with the 4×400 team (4:09.14), which helped the Clippers finish second overall. Moved on to the Division 4 State Meet and helped the Clippers place fourth out of 35 scoring teams. Was sixth in the 800 (2:21.21), then ran on second-place 4×400 relay alongside Penelope Fuentes, Morgan Felts and Devin Stroope that broke the school record (4:06.99). Her 800 time at Div. 4 States was second all-time in school history. Also is fourth all-time in Newburyport history in the Mile (5:25.18, 2022).
Devin Stroope
Newburyport, Jr., 800/javelin/relays
One of the greatest track athletes in Newburyport history. A perfect 6-for-6 in making our Daily News Indoor and Outdoor Track All-Star teams since entering high school. The CAL Open champion in the javelin (97-5) and with the 4×400 relay (4:09.14), while also taking third in the 200 (26.50). Went on to the Division 4 State Meet and was second with the 4×4 in school-record time (4:06.99), while also placing fourth in the 800 (2:20.01) and fifth in the javelin (102-2). Broke her own school record in the 800 to place 16th at Meet of Champions (2:19.01). Won the 200 (26.95), 800 (2:24.62) and javelin (98-9) to ultimately help herself win the MSTCA Heptathlon North Championship with 3,933 points. Is first all-time in Newburyport history in the 400 (59.20, 2022), 800 (2:19.01, 2024), javelin (111-9, 2024) and 4×400 relay (4:04.70, 2023 indoor), along with being second in both the 200 (26.05, 2024) and long jump (16-6.75, 2024) — plus her indoor track records.
Morgan Felts
Newburyport, Jr., 400/800/relays
Already a two-time Daily News Indoor Track All-Star, now adds an Outdoor All-Star nod to her growing résumé. Helped Newburyport place fourth out of 35 scoring teams at the Division 4 State Meet. Was second in school-record time with the 4×400 relay team (4:06.99), while also taking third in the 400 (59.30) and seventh in the 800 (2:21.67). A week earlier at the CAL Open, was second in the 400 (1:00.72) and first with the 4×400 (4:09.14) alongside Devin Stroope, Blake Parker and Penelope Fuentes). Besides being first all-time in Newburyport history with the 4×4, is also second all-time in the 400 (59.30, 2024), and third in the 800 (2:21.67, 2024). Was sixth in the 600 at Meet of Champions during the Indoor season (1:37.46). Also a member of the field hockey team that made the Division 3 state championship game during the fall.
Lucy Buchmayr
Newburyport, Jr., 100 hurdles
Was named a Daily News Indoor Track All-Star this winter, and followed it up this spring to earn her first Outdoor All-Star nod as well. Broke the Newburyport school record in the Shuttle Hurdles alongside Julia Schena, Madison Butler and Laney Schwab at the Division 4 State Relays (1:10.74). Placed second in the 100 hurdles at the CAL Open (15.75), helping the Clippers take second as a team. Went on to the Division 4 State Meet and was fourth in the 100 hurdles (15.57) and sixth in the 400 hurdles (1:08.88, 3rd all-time in school history). Was the area’s second-highest placer at Meet of Champions. Came in seeded 18th in the 100 hurdles, but made the finals and finished eighth in the entire state in school-record time (15.44). Was 27th with the Shuttle Hurdle team at New Balance Nationals this winter (37.75).
Wynter Smith
Pentucket, Jr., hurdles/HJ
Now a two-time Daily News Outdoor Track All-Star after picking up her first Indoor All-Star nod this winter. Do-it-all athlete ended her fantastic junior year taking seventh out of 71 competitors at the MSTCA Heptathlon North Championship (3,569 points), picking up a fourth in the hurdles (16.31) and sixth in both the shot put (26-1) and high jump (5-0). Was fifth in the 100 hurdles at the Division 5 State Meet (16.74), and sixth in the high jump (5-0). Was second in the high jump a week prior at the CAL Open (4-10). Her personal-best high jump (5-4, 2023) is third all-time in school history. Took third in the high jump (5-0) and second with the Shuttle Hurdle team (70.43) at the Henry Sheldon Invite. Was seventh in the 55-hurdles at States this winter (9.26). Consistently a Pentucket Regional High Honor Roll student.
Brighton Seymour
Pentucket, Soph., 800/pentathlon/relays
Named a Daily News Indoor Track All-Star this winter, and continued that success over as an Outdoor All-Star this spring. Ran on the winning 4×800 relay team at the CAL Open (10:15.62), while also taking third in the 800 (2:26.82). Moved on to the Division 5 State Meet and was sixth in the pentathlon (2,440 points) and fourth with the 4×800 (10:07.11). Was 16th out of 71 athletes at the MSTCA Heptathlon North Championship (3,227 points). Finished 27th in the 400 hurdles at Meet of Champions (1:09.42). Was third at the Pentucket Pentathlon early in the season (2,490). Took eighth in the 600 at the Division 5 State Meet during the indoor season (1:42.87). Consistently a Pentucket Regional Honor Roll student and a member of the school’s cheerleading team.
Anna Romano
Triton, Sr., 800/relays
Wraps up stellar high school career a two-time Daily News Outdoor Track All-Star (‘22. ‘24), and one-time Indoor All-Star (‘23-24). Was a three-sport captain this year during both track seasons and with soccer in the fall. Took second at the CAL Open in both the 800 (2:24.17) and with the 4×400 relay team (4:09.55). Would then go on to break the school record in the 800 at the Division 5 State Meet to take second (2:22.49), before running on the winning 4×400 relay alongside Sophia Lesinski, Ari Basile and Avery Upite (4:08.95). Broke the school record in the 600 during the winter indoor season (1:40.72). Will run for the cross country team at Assumption College. Was consistently an Honor Roll student, and received the Honor Award during Triton’s seventh annual Community Service Impact Awards ceremony.
Sophia Lesinski
Triton, Sr., 400 hurdles/relays
Departs Triton Regional a three-time Daily News Outdoor Track All-Star. Was also a Daily News Soccer All-Star this fall, and a captain for both soccer and basketball during the winter. Broke her own school record in the 400 hurdles to place fourth at the Division 5 State Meet (1:04.76). Also ran on the winning 4×400 relay team at Div. 5 States alongside Ari Basile, Avery Upite and Anna Romano (4:08.95), while ending her day taking seventh in the 400 (1:01.16, 6th all-time in school history). Was second at the CAL Open in both the 400 hurdles (1:05.73) and with the same 4×400 team (4:09.55). Took second in the 200 at the Henry Sheldon Invite (28.05). Consistently a Triton Honor Roll student who earned the Merit Award at the school’s seventh annual Community Service Impact Awards ceremony.
Honorable Mention
Amesbury — Sarah Burdick, Sr., hurdles; Lindsey Williamson, Jr., pentathlon
Newburyport — Laney Schwab, Jr., pentathlon/heptathlon; Kayley Simons, Jr., discus; Penelope Fuentes, Frosh., 400/relays; Lydia Boddy, Frosh., 2-Mile/relays
Pentucket — Meaghan Grenham, Sr., hurdles; Emily Bethmann, Jr., TJ; Delaney Meagher, Jr., HJ; Cece Cammett, Jr., relays; Carly Foley, Soph., relays
Triton — Ari Basile, Sr., relays; Avery Upite, Jr., relays; Alexa Bonasera, Jr., PV; London Cole, Soph., SP; Aaliyah Jackson, 8th-grade., hurdles