ANDOVER — The statement was made, loud and clear, in front of many of the premier high school track athletes in Massachusetts.
Greater Lawrence Tech is a force to be reckoned with on the track, against the best of the best.
Led by two-sport record-setter Gustavo Varela, the Reggies ran and leapt to three victories at the elite Andover Boosters Invitational on Saturday.
How far has the program come?
Up until last season, no Greater Lawrence athlete had ever taken gold at the annual track institution, which takes place four miles from the Reggies’ campus in West Andover.
“Today was a statement from the Greater Lawrence athletes that we can compete with anybody,” said Varela. “My coach (Tony Sarkis) takes great pride in performing well at this meet. Winning was a great honor for the school. This meet was a great step in the right direction for me and my 4×100. We expect big things this year.”
Varela won the 100-meter dash (11.24) and anchored the winning 4×100 (43.88), teaming with Jizziah Herring, Thomas Gbukpa and Anthony Jimenez.
“The weather wasn’t the greatest, but we went out there and showed what we could do,” said Jimenez. “It feels great to represent out team and our school so well.”
The other Reggie victory went to Adrian Morales Cruz, who won the triple jump (40-8.75) and was third in the long jump (21-2.25).
“It means a lot, representing up for the school and showing that division doesn’t matter,” he said. “We come from a school that people don’t think of highly, and to put an outstanding performance out there for the state to see means a lot for my myself, my family, and my community as a whole.”
Finally healthy, McSweeney breaks out
A year ago, North Andover’s Mary McSweeney watched Andover Boosters from the sidelines, thanks to a knee injury — osteochondritis dissecans — that ended her freshman season before it started.
But now healthy, she made her name heard, winning the javelin (92-8).
“I’m happy to represent our program and play a small part in our success as a team,” she said. “My expectations are to just keep learning more about the sport, so to win is beyond what I was expecting.”
That was one of the highlights in a big day for the Scarlet Knights.
It was a breakout day for fellow sophomore Elisa Castro, who won the 2-mile in 12:04.30.
“As a team, we motivate each other and push each other to do our best,” said Castro. “Therefore, winning is a representation of the attitude we have and our commitment to track and field. I surpassed my expectations, because I didn’t expect to get a personal best, but I am very glad I was able to do so.”
On the boys side for the Knights, Aidan McGarry won the 400 hurdles in 57.99.
“I knew there was going to be tough competition,” he said. “Having the rain come down, along with the cold temperatures, I knew I had to get out fast. It’ll be full steam ahead for the MVC championships in two weeks.”
Four in a row for Quarm
Make it four years of 100-meter dash dominance at Andover Boosters for Methuen superstar Lauren Quarm.
The Ranger record-setter won her fourth straight Boosters title in the dash on Saturday in 12.42. She also won gold in the event as a junior (12.44), sophomore (12.40) and freshman (12.42).
Quarm followed that up by repeating as 200-meter champ (25.52).
“It feels really rewarding to come away with two big wins,” she said. “I’m especially proud of how I stayed focused and pushed through each event.The weather was definitely a challenge, but I just tried to stay mentally tough and not let it affect my performance. I focused on what I could control and adjusted as needed.”
Conditions don’t faze Ngunu
With rain falling heavily at times, jumping was a precarious proposition for much of Saturday.
But it couldn’t derail Haverhill’s Cayla Ngunu, who won the girls triple jump with a 36-8.75.
“The rainy weather definitely made the jumps more challenging, so I focused on staying consistent and competing confidently,” she said. “I’m proud to represent Haverhill and contribute points for the team, and I’m excited to see what the rest of the season brings …. hopefully more sunny weather!”
Relay title for host Warriors
The goal was clear for the host Andover girls 4×100 relay.
“Our relay team had high expectations, to take home the gold medal!” said standout Leah Sun. “And we did it!”
The team of Sun, Dani Almeida, Alanna Fleming and Clare Pawlus took home the title in 50.43.
“All four of us have been working really hard at practice and getting the team chemistry going,” said Sun, who also took second in the 100 dash (12.72). “For the 100, the competition was high, and it was a good opportunity to run against some of the best people in the state.”
Central stars keep shining
Four Eagle-Tribune All-Stars from Central Catholic earned victories on Saturday.
Fab freshman Avery Strickler continued her brilliant debut season, winning the 400 (58.01) and taking second in the long jump (17-9.25).
“The weather definitely wasn’t ideal, but I was glad to get the win in the 400,” she said. “Missing the win in long jump by 0.5 of an inch was a little frustrating, but overall the day felt like a success and I’m looking forward to the big meets coming up.”
Carlos Quintana won the boys high jump (6-2), Kyla Breslin took the girls 800 (2:16.88) and Arianna DiPietro won the 100 hurdles (14.80).
“With the weather, I made sure to not burn out all of my energy in the prelims so I had fresh legs for finals,” said DiPietro. “I’m really happy to get the win, and with how I handled the conditions overall.”
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