Lions take pride in relay success

The Newton South girls' 4x800 relay team knows how to kick it up a notch. With a versatile group of six rotating runners, this team dominated in Saturday's MSTCA Class A State Coaches Relays held at Andover High School.

The Lady Lions scored a time of 9:51.59, which was more than 12 seconds better than the next team to cross the finish line, Haverhill, which finished at 10:03.69, followed by Lincoln-Sudbury at 10:13.08. This performance also gave Newton South the best time in the Dual County League, not to mention that it was the third-best time in the state this spring.

"It's an event we take pride in," said Newton South coach Steven McChesney, whose team took fourth overall. "[This meet] gives us a nice seed time for the state meet and it gives me an idea of how we're managing our [A and B team] races."

Juniors Dianna Braver and Julia Frieze, and sophomores Juliet Ryan-Davis and Bridget Dahlberg anchored the front as seniors Ann Norris and Alana O'Brien, who usually race in the event, weren't available.

Norris was battling sickness and O'Brien just came back from the World Championship Irish Step Dance competition.

The 4x800 is one of McChesney's favorite events.

"I just really like the event. We have a lot of exposure prepping for the All-Class state meet," said McChesney.

The mile relay squad also engineered a rout, placing first over Haverhill (22:05.88) and Newton North (22:08.41) while setting a meet record (21:41.40). Freshman Maddie Reed, and sophomores Kelsea Karys, Ryan-Davis, and Dahlberg will carry the team for another good two seasons after this one.

"They're a nice group of young kids to work with," said McChesney.

The Lions have claimed the top spot in the DCL with a 3-1 record. Their biggest competitors are cross-town rivals Newton North and the always tough Lincoln-Sudbury squad.

Seekonk can thank its field athletes for the Class D relay title. Behind Bromfield after the running events, Seekonk came back to win by taking the shot put and javelin and finishing in the top 5 in discus and high jump. During the indoor season, Bromfield finished second in the Division 4 relays with Seekonk tied for third. But with the extra outdoor events, the Warriors were able to push ahead of Bromfield . . . During the indoor season, the Stoneham girls edged Bishop Feehan to win the Division 3 crown. Saturday, the Stoneham boys beat Bishop Feehan for the same crown . . . Reading and St. John's Prep were the only two schools to claim an indoor/outdoor sweep, each winning boys' titles Saturday after doing the same last January at the Reggie Lewis Center . . . The depth of the East Bridgewater boys was on display Saturday when the Vikings won just one event, the 100 shuttle hurdle, but still came away with the Class D title. East Bridgewater took second in the 1,600, high jump, and long jump.

The spring season rolls on this Saturday with the running of the Freshman-Sophomore meet. Large schools will compete at Greater New Bedford with Small schools at Holliston. All grades will be in action the following week for the State Coaches Invitational. The boys will be at Wilmington with the girls at Plymouth South.