BRIGHTON – With a slight deficit heading into the final three relays, Wakefield’s boys track and field mustered up just enough to take home its second Div. 4 title in three seasons Friday night at The Track at New Balance.
With three first-place finishes, including the top spot in the high jump (6 feet, 6 inches) and long jump (22-8.5) for senior JeMauri Belmer and the top spot in the 4×200 relay, the Warriors came away with 56 points to take down second-place Newburyport, which scored 54. Last year’s champion, Pembroke, placed third with 35.
The dagger for Wakefield came in the 4×400 as the relay team placed second with a 3:33.78 to get just enough points to fend off Newburyport.
“We knew we had a good chance with the relays,” said Wakefield coach Ruben Reinoso. “Then we went into the 4×800, where we got third place. Our 4×400 is pretty strong, so we knew we needed at least a second to be able to pull the meet out. So, we were feeling pretty good, but a complete team effort. So happy for the kids and for the coaching staff. Everybody worked so hard.”
Newburyport senior Michael Mohoric set a meet record in the one mile with a 4:16.19. He missed last year with an injury.
“It means a lot,” said Mohoric. “I was injured last year and didn’t get to compete. So, being able to come back and prove what I can do is definitely meaningful.”
Mohoric also took fourth place in the 1,000 meters in 2:34.65 as Falmouth senior Silas Gartner set a meet record with a 2:29.00. Belmer set the meet record by one quarter inch in the long jump for Newburyport as well.
The Clippers also had senior Kyle Lisauskas win first place in the 55 hurdles in 7.65 as well as second in the high jump at 6-4. The 4×400 relay team placed first in 3:29.38.
On the girls side, with only bringing eight participants Weston used the final two relays of the 4×800 and 4×400 to overcome a 32-31 deficit to take down second-place Wayland 49-36. Amherst-Pelham took third with 33.5. It is their first state title since winning Div. 5 in back-to-back seasons in 2022 and 2023.
“To win this, feels great. I’m so proud of these girls,” Weston coach Kathy Vinciullo said. “They did an excellent job. They’ve been working hard and all year we’ve been batting numbers. Our team is very small.”
Weston earned medals in seven of 13 events with three top three finishes as the 4×800 squad placed first (9:51.86), the 4×400 placed second (4:15.54) and Leksi Sullivan took third in the one mile (5:07.79).
Holliston freshman Lucy Downin broke the meet record in the mile with a 4:53.53, just a few seconds before Whitinsville Christian’s Abby Flagg (4:55.18).
“It feels amazing,” Downin said. “I’m very happy.”
