There was a time, not that long ago, when Tripp Dowd struggled to break into the varsity lineup in just one event for powerhouse North Andover track.
“I was a very small, weak sophomore, who couldn’t even hold a shot put,” remembered Dowd, now a senior. “But my coaches thought that I had lots of potential. I trained like my future depended on it.”
Dowd’s talent and versatility were on full display on Friday, when he rolled to the pentathlon title during Day 1 of the MIAA Division 2 Championship at Merrimack College.
He finished his dominant performance with 3,192 points, far out-distancing runner-up Gable Gray of Chelmsford (2,947).
Dowd won the pentathlon 110-meter hurdles (15.52), high jump (5-10.75) and long jump (20-7), took second in the shot put (42-8.25) and fifth in the 1,500-meter (5:17.58).
“I didn’t have a great performance in the hurdles, which is my best event, but I sat down and had a chat with my coaches and teammates, and they got me in the right mindset,” he said. “I ended up getting two PRs (personal records) in the long jump and shot put, and equaling my season best in the high jump. It made me so happy to put my team one step closer to raising that state championship trophy!”
Hurdlers earn three titles
The 400-meter hurdles belonged to local stars on Friday.
Haverhill High’s Avery Lescord entered Day 1 of the Division 1 Championship at Westfield State seeded fourth in the 400-meter hurdles, then roared to the title in 1:05.49.
“Going into this race seated fourth with so much competition in my heat, winning didn’t really come across my mind,” said Lescord. “I was just looking for a great PR against some of the best girls in Division 1. I had a great start, was going over the hurdles smoothly. I had a couple girls ahead of me, but I knew I had more fight in me to finish strong.
“With 120 meters left in the race, I knew I had to give it my all if I wanted to catch the athlete from Cambridge. I saw the opportunity and went for it, I knew I couldn’t have waiting another moment to make my move. Going over the last hurdle and finishing with everything I had left, I knew I was going to win and become a Division 1 champ. After I crossed the finish line I was very emotional and proud of the race I just had. It was a very surreal and exciting moment for my senior season.”
Central Catholic’s top-seeded Jeremiah Mateo Mora delivered, winning the boys Division 1 400-meter hurdles title in 54.72.
“To be a D1 state champ in the 400 hurdles is such an amazing feeling,” said Mateo Mora. “I knew I had it in me all season, and it was what I expected of myself. I pushed hard the whole race and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me at All-States!”
Finally, North Andover’s Aidan McGarry grabbed the Division 2 boys 400-meter hurdles title in 55.43.
“Coming off a second-place finish at MVCs and being the top seed for states, I knew I’d have a target on my back,” said McGarry. “Being able to come out on top as a junior and seeing the hard work pay off was a great feeling that I hope to replicate next year. It’ll be all-steam ahead for the open 400-meter and 4×400 on Sunday.”
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