As we bid farewell to the winter season and welcome in the spring, one question reigns supreme over the track scene and beyond.
How high will Danielle Bates fly?
The Eagle-Tribune’s high school track records date back to the 1930’s. In that time, only one local girl has ever jumped higher than the 5-9 that Timberlane superstar Bates scored to win the high jump title at New Englands. That’s Andover legend and Hall of Famer Moira Cronin, who jumped 5-10 in 2010.
Only one other athlete in area history has topped 5-7! North Andover’s Sarah Lavery (5-8.75) in 2018.
Just one inch now stands between Bates and a record that once seemed unbreakable. And she has the entire spring to chase it. It won’t be easy, but it’s certainly within reach.
Bates wasn’t the only high jumper that was flying to amazing heights and making history this winter.
Central Catholic’s Carlos Quintana also moved into No. 2 in Eagle-Tribune area history by posting a dazzling PR of 6-9 for second at New Englands — setting a new Raiders school record — matching Andover High’s Paul Keefe, who hit his 6-9 way back in 1978. The only local athlete in area history to jump higher was Pentucket’s Andy Hirsch with a 7-0.25 in 1987.
Before Quintana, no local athlete had reached 6-7 since 2011. He also set a school record in the pentathlon (3,363), taking fifth at the MSTCA Championship. And he’s just a junior!
We may be seeing the emergence of a dynasty in the Central Catholic girls 4×400 team, that won the New England title this winter (PR 3:59.53).
The Raiders foursome consisted of two freshmen (Avery Strickler and Leighton Hickey), a sophomore (Kyla Breslin) and a senior (Emma Finch). This spring could be special, then imagine how good this squad can be if they stick together for two more years, and find the right fit to replace Finch. The potential is limitless.
After setting the Eagle-Tribune and Massachusetts record for career rushing yards in the fall, earning Eagle-Tribune football MVP, Greater Lawrence’s Gustavo Varela added some history on the track. After winning the Division 3 title, he placed third at Meet of Champions in the 55-meter dash (6.44), the highest a Reggie has ever placed at the premier meet in Massachusetts.
It was a winter of what-ifs for girls sprinters. All-time area leader Lauren Quarm, of Methuen, went undefeated on her way to winning the Division I title in the 55-meter (7.02). But she suffered a leg injury that took her out of the finals at Meet of Champions, then could not compete at New Englands.
A highly controversial decision by officials took a New Hampshire Division 1 title and state record in the 55-meter (7.20) away from Salem’s Leanny Ortiz-Blanco. She was controversially disqualified at Division 1s, so she couldn’t participate in New Englands. Seeing Quarm vs. Ortiz-Blanco would have been awesome.
Timberlane star Charlotte Beaudoin won the New Hampshire Division I title in the 600 (1:35.40), but could not compete at New Englands due to an illness.
Pinkerton junior Joe Gustavson opened eyes in a huge way, winning the Division 1 title in the 600, then placing in three events at New Englands — grabbing third in the 600 (1:21.44) while anchoring the 4×400 (with Winston George, Caleb Arroyo and Michael Duarte) that placed sixth in 3:27.02 and running on the 4×800 (with Austin Cipriano, Trainor Mailloux and Jason Robie) that was fourth in 7:56.83.
Robie won Division I titles in the 1,500 (4:08.05) and 3,000 (8:34.55), while the Astros swept the 55-meter hurdles at D1s, with John Child winning the boys title (7.65), as the Astros rolled to the team title, and Abigail Stienecker taking the girls crown (8.85). Pinkerton’s Thomas Blaszka won the shot put (50-10.25), nearly 10 feet better than his PR from his junior year (42-7.75).
Central Catholic’s Arianna DiPietro delivered another rock-solid season, going undefeated in the 55-meter hurdles through MVCs, then placed second at Division 1s (PR 8.25) and Meet of Champions (8.28) and third at New Englands (8.28).
Pelham’s Osinachi Nwabueze missed out on competing at New Balance Nationals for a pretty good reason — he was playing a stellar game for the Pythons basketball team in the Division II state championship. While juggling both sports, he won the Division II title in the long jump with a 22-9.5, nearly a foot better than the Division I champ (22-01.75). It should be interesting to see what he can accomplish while focused fully on track this spring.
With so much talent ready to go, it should be an exciting — and perhaps record-setting — outdoor track season.
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