As a freshman, Methuen’s Lauren Quarm took not only the Merrimack Valley Conference by storm, but also the state. An Eagle-Tribune All-Star last indoor season, she was the league champion in the 55-meter dash, was second at the Division 1 state meet and was eighth in the Rising Stars division at New Balance Nationals, setting a school record with a time of 7.68.
Now a year later, she has continued to climb the track ladder.
On Saturday, the sophomore placed second with a blazing time of 7.19 seconds at the MSTCA Large School Coaches Invitational Meet. Her time broke a school record, previously held by former Eagle-Tribune track MVP Wileshka Samuel.
On top of that, Quarm was part of the fourth-place 4×400 relay team, along with Alysha Santana Sosa, Bella Fiore and Kiera Fitzpatrick, who came in at 1:48.74, also breaking a school record.
“Lauren is starting to come into her own when she races and is learning how to use her speed in the right moments,” said coach Brittney Caprio. “It was great to see her and the girls come together and compete with some of the top teams in the state at one of the toughest meets of the year.”
There was a number of other terrific performances at the meet, including Central Catholic’s 4×400 relay team of Laura Fennessy, Anya Neira, Rayniah Mercedat and Veralie Perrier who finished first with a collective time of 4:07.62.
“The girls ran well leading the final heat from start to finish. Their consistency in the event has been remarkable all season,” said coach Shawn Dumas.
Central’s Madeline Courtemanche broke a school record by four seconds with a time of 11:08.98 in the two-mile, which was good for second place. Macy Daigle was also second in the high jump, clearing 5-4 and Fennessy added a fourth in the 600 (1:39.26). Dumas added that the three girls who ran the 300, Neira, Mercedat and Emma Finch, all ran personal bests, including Neira finishing sixth.
Andover was led by two relay teams. The 4×800 team of Rose Kirby, Claire DeMersseman, Mia Giaimo and Mollie Bedard finished fourth with a time of 9:50.33. The 4×200 team was fifth with a time of 1:48.79 and that team consisted of Haley Carver, Jesselle Brussard, Sana Godhani and Alanna Fleming.
North Andover’s Elif Altunkilic was third in the shot put, throwing 37-7.5, and Haverhill’s Lauren Downer broke Courtney Mortimer’s 2006 school record of 3:00.45 by finishing fifth in the 1,000 meters with a time of 2:58.35.
On the boys side, Haverhill’s 4×400 relay team of Joel Ishiiawe, Hannon Wipff, Stephane Fevry and Natanael Vigo Catala finished first with a time of 3:28.41.
“That’s three in a row for these guys,” said head coach Mike Maguire. “They won the Northeast Invitational, the State Relays and now the Coaches Invitational. All four boys are really into it, and their individual splits are improving week. I know that Joel Ishiimwe, Hannon Wipff, Stephane Fevry are excited about running a relay and being able to hand off to Nata. The time this team ran last weekend is the top time in Massachusetts and currently number two in New England. Hopefully we can keep it rolling.”
Also for the Hillies, Myles Robertson was second in the shot put (51-0.5) and Connor Chmielski was fourth in the shot put throwing 48-0.5.
“Myles and Connor have been consistently great all summer long and this was their first big test with three preliminary throws and then three throws in the final, it’s a little different than the regular season set up with just three or four throws and I thought they did well,” said Maguire.
Keith Korir was third in the mile (4:22.31), which is the fastest Hillie mile time since Patrick Fullerton ran 4:16 in 2006.
Andover was led by Jason DeJesus, who was third in the 55-meter dash (6.51), Patrick Allardi, who was fourth in the 55-meter hurdles (7.92) and Harvey Lys, who was fifth in the high jump (6-2).
North Andover’s Mickey Valentino finished third in the shot put throwing 49-2 and Ajani Muzasadila was fourth in the dash with a time of 6.59 seconds.
Twitter: @JamiePote