Newton S. girls roll

Newton South's James Huth and Acton-Boxboro's D.J. Brock compete in the 100-meter dash. (Patricia McDonnell/for the globe)

SUDBURY - Newton South girls' track coach Steve McChesney said his team could no longer play the preferred underdog role in yesterday's MIAA Division 1 championship at Lincoln-Sudbury.

Turns out the role of favorite also fits his squad. Newton South roared to victory with 74 points, defeating Lincoln-Sudbury (53), and Andover (45).

Newton South's strength was its distance runners. Junior Bridget Dahlberg (5:03.62) and freshman Kathy O'Keefe (5:05.93) finished 1-2 in the mile, and Kelsey Karys (10:52.95), Madeleine Reed (11:21.33) and Melanie Fineman (11:32.41) went 1-3-6 respectively in the 2-mile for 17 points in that event.

"We were second here last year and second in indoors, so we've been knocking on the door," McChesney said. "L-S is an awesome team and they competed really well. When you beat teams of the caliber of Newton North, Lexington, and Lincoln-Sudbury - the teams that were up there - you have to feel great."

Lincoln-Sudbury had its moments. Emily Mepham won the 800 in 2:13.78, then helped teammates Claire Arthur, Ellie Hylton, and Andrea Keklak set a meet record in the 4 x 800 relay in 9:25.19, shattering Newton North's mark (9:29.65) last season.

Charmine Bien-Amie of Cambridge won the 100 in 12.47 seconds, edging Christina Muccio of Andover (12.53), who was running with a heavy heart; her father died two days ago. Haverhill's Samantha Stabile won the 200-meter dash in 25.56.

"I felt I had to do it for [Muccio]," Stabile said. "It's been a rough week for her and I told her that I was going to run for her today."

On the boys' side, Brockton survived a nip-and-tuck battle with Newton North to win the title, 52-51.

The Boxers got two victories: in the 4 x 800 (8:08.73) and from Jimm Guerrier in the triple jump (44 feet 9 1/4 inches), but scored in six other events.

Brockton coach Brian Hoffman was ecstatic one minute and freezing the next as his team dumped a bucket of ice water on him in celebration. Slightly shivering, he raved about his team's ability to rack up placing performances.

"I still can't believe it," he said. "I'm shocked, but proudly shocked. This was a team event. There has been meets in the past where teams have won with three or four stud athletes. We've had sophomores step up in the triple jump, we had [sophomore Gregory Hilliard] put up [a fourth] - this is a sport where every jump, throw, or second of a race counts. The entire day was a pleasant surprise."

Sam Arsenault led Newton North's attack with victories in the high jump (6-7) and the 300-meter hurdles (39.98), where he charged from the pack after the final hurdle to nip the field at the stripe.

"It was just whoever wanted it more down the home stretch," Arseault said of his hurdles victory.