O'Bryant girls up to speed
15th straight title is claimed handily
The temperature hovered in the mid-50s and the skies threatened rain yesterday afternoon at White Stadium. Unperturbed, the O'Bryant girls got hot and continued their reign, winning a 15th consecutive Boston City outdoor track championship with ease.
O'Bryant performers finished first in the 2-mile, high jump, triple jump, and shot put. And that was just on the first day Monday, when they built their lead over second-place Latin Academy to 103-48. On day two yesterday, it was more of the same. O'Bryant won the 400 meters, 800, 100 hurdles, and 4 x 100 relay for a total of eight first-place finishes and 173 points.
"I was a little worried because we're a young team," O'Bryant coach Tommy Campbell said. O'Bryant has four only seniors and uses a number of seventh and eighth graders, but that hasn't slowed the Tigers down.
If anything, having young teams may help add to the winning tradition. After traipsing around the track with their new trophy, O'Bryant's four seniors said they were proud to keep that tradition going.
"I'm glad to leave on a happy note," said Nakeisha Jones, who won the triple jump and 100 hurdles.
"We're leaving behind a talented group," added Kamilah Rowe, the 400 champ. "We hope they keep it going."
Another group hoping to keep its momentum going is the Charlestown boys. The Townies rallied from a rough start in the field events Monday to take their second straight title, 107-98, over O'Bryant.
Charlestown coach Kristyn Hughes said dedication played a big role in the win.
"I have a number of guys where it's their main sport," Hughes said, and that leads to the passion and intensity it takes to be champions.
Charlestown won nine events: the 100, 200, 2-mile, 400, 800, 300 hurdles, triple jump, and 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays. Hughes said the 400 might've been the most important because no one outside Charlestown gave the winner, Yaovi Jondoh, a chance.
"[Jondoh is] just a solid runner," Hughes said. "He does everything well and is very athletic, and he really turned it up on the last 200 meters to win."
Kamal Riley won the triple jump and 200 to help lead the balanced Charlestown attack.
