Carlos Quintana was disappointed after Saturday’s Division 1 Track and Field State Championship Meet.
The Central Catholic sophomore did not finish first in the high jump.
“I’m actually a bit underwhelmed with how I performed,” he said. “I had set high expectations for myself going into it.”
Quintana finished third overall, clearing 6-feet-4 inches.
“I will come back stronger with bigger heights next year,” he said.
He still has a chance to clear higher heights this season. The two-day Meet of Champions starts on Thursday with the high jump competition being held on Saturday. Quintana is seeded No. 1, with his season best mark of 6-6.
“I have the same expectations for this meet as I did for states,” he said. “I want first place. I’m looking forward to Saturday and I’m excited to see how the competition plays out.”
Central head coach Mike Leal said that Quintana’s self-motivation is quite impressive.
“Once Carlos sets his mind on a goal, there is nothing that is going to deter him from staying on the path necessary to achieve those goals,” said Leal. “I am proud of what he has been able to accomplish already and look forward to him competing with the best in the state this weekend.”
Two of Quintana’s teammates, Drew Alsup (195-9) and Suuma Kalemera (23-3.50) are both seeded third in the javelin and long jump, respectively. Also cracking the top five includes Greater Lawrence’s Elizardo Melenciano in the 110-meter hurdles(14.26) and Lawrence’s Cristian Reinoso in the 200 (21.77).
On the female side, Haverhill senior shot put thrower Madeline Goncalves is seeded first with a season best throw of 44 feet, 2 inches. She finished second at the Div. 1 meet, throwing 41-01.75.
“Performing worse than I had hoped this past weekend, reminded me that I’m not going to have a great meet every week,” said Goncalves. “It’s been motivating me to work harder this week and succeed this Saturday. I’m excited to go in as the top seed and defend that spot. I’m hoping to have a solid throw of 43 feet and I know I’m capable of that.”
Methuen High junior Lauren Quarm is seeded fourth in the 100 (12.21), sixth in the 200 (25.29) and then she will join Isabella Fiore, Alysha Santana Sosa and Alyssa Machado as the No. 2 seed in the 4×100 relay (49.14). The group is coming off a fourth-place finish at the D1 Meet (50.11).
Central Catholic’s Arianna DiPietro is seeded fifth in the pentathlon.