WE ARE the champions. Lynnfield’s distance medley relay team captured the Div. 4 state title at the 41st annual State Coaches Relays on Sunday. Running a combined time of 13:07.47 were (from left): Kate Mitchell (1600), Tia Patterson (1200), Marie Norwood (800) and Emily Scollard (400). (Courtesy Photo)
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
BELLINGHAM — The girls’ distance medley relay team captured the Div. 4 state title at MSTCA State Coaches Relays on Sunday.
The team’s combined time of 13:07.47 was nearly 18 seconds faster than their nearest competitor, Ipswich, which took second in 13:25.16. A total of 15 teams from across the state competed in this race.
The 10 points earned by the girls for this victory enabled Lynnfield to finish the meet in a three-way tie for 13th overall out of 28 teams at the 41st annual event.
“The team consisted of Tia Patterson, who gave the girls a strong lead with her first leg – a 1200m,” in about 4:03, said coach Liane Cook
Emily Scollard (65) ran the second leg, a 400m, who improved the team’s lead even though she had been sick all week, Cook said.
“Running third on the team was Marie Norwood who ran one of her fastest 800 m splits (2:35) to secure a great spot for Kate Mitchell (5:20) to anchor the relay with her 1600m,” their elated coach said.
“They all ran fantastic races and I am so proud of them,” she added.
Many PRs in final meet
Although the girls lost to both Hamilton-Wenham and Triton by large margins in the final tri-meet of the season, the Pioneers set many personal records against these more experienced programs “and many great performances,” Cook said.
Triton defeated the girls 117-24 while Hamilton-Wenham won 126-16.
Among the meet highlights was junior Marie Norwood’s qualification for states in the 1-mile with a time of 5:42 for third place against both teams. The qualifying time is 5:47.24. Teammate Kate Mitchell (5:16) took first against Triton and second against H-W.
Juliana Passatempo (75.1) dropped another second in the 400m hurdles with her first-place finish against Triton and third-place against H-W to get within one second of qualifying for states (74.24). Teammate Elaina Patermo (83.1) took third versus Triton.
Sonia Kuhls (18.5) dropped another one second in the 100m hurdles to finish within a half second of qualifying for states. She took third against Triton. Kuhls also took third in the high jump (4-2) against both teams.
“Our 4×100 team, with freshman Elaina Patermo anchoring (since Emma Mancini is injured) improved their time. They are also within a half second of qualifying for states,” Cook said.
The 4x400m relay team took first against Triton.
She added that Natasha Desir “had a huge PR in the 100m hurdles, finishing in 20.3 seconds. Teammate Sarah Smyrnios (14.0) took second in the event against Triton.
In the 400m, Emily Scollard (68.6) took third against both teams.
Erica Richard took third in the pole vault at 6-6 against Triton.
Taking second place against H-W in their respective events were Rachel Strout in the discus (61-8.5) and Kelly Look (82-7) in the javelin. Norwood (79-2) took third with a personal record.
Also placing third against the Generals were Leena Aurora (13:27) in the 2-mile and Kelsie Hauser (2:51) in the 800m.
Upcoming meets
The JV Cape Ann League meet will be contested today (May 20) followed by the varsity Cape Ann League meet on Saturday, May 23.
