Published April 14, 2021
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
DANVERS — For the second year in a row, the Lynnfield High girls’ indoor track team clinched the Cape Ann League Baker Division title. The Pioneers won it outright this year as they defeated host Essex Tech 62-24 on Monday in Danvers to clinch it.
Last winter, they tied Ipswich for the league crown. With the victory on Monday, the Pioneers finished first alone going to 4-0.
“It is a great accomplishment for the girls, especially the senior class,” said Pioneers first year head coach Adam Dell’Aria, as this season is being held outdoors due to the pandemic.
Dell’Aria switched his lineup a little bit to experiment with some of his younger runners.
“They were able to post some good times and the weather improved during the meet from some sprinkles to getting to see the sun late,” Dell’Aria pointed out.
Olivia Goguen led the way with two individual wins. She had a time of 49.6 in the 300 meters and a high jump of 3-10.
Other Pioneer winners against the Hawks were Madison Murphy in the 55 meter dash (7.1), Lauren Braconnier in the 600 meters (1:50), April Luders in the 55 meter hurdles (9.), Kelly Briggs in the mile (6:17) and Riley Hallahan in the shot put (30-10).
The 4×400 relay team also won with a time of 4:51.
Lynnfield captured second five times. Ava Gamache, Bella Miranda and Adrianna Buccilli all tied for second in the high jump at 3-8. The other Pioneers seconds were Jasmine Rose in the 55 meter hurdles (9.3), Bianca Guarracino in the 300 meters (50.7), Maggie Davidson in the 1000 meters (3:53) and Julia Seelig in the two mile (14:45).
On Apr. 8, the Pioneers edged visiting Ipswich 45-41 at Lynnfield Middle School.
This meet came down to the relay as the foursome of Guarracino, Rose, Luders and Braconnier won by nine seconds with a time of 4:17.
“Those four stepped us for us,” stated Dell’Aria. “We knew coming into the meet that the winner was most likely going to win the league. It was very exciting.”
Lynnfield posted five individual winners against the Tigers: Luders in the 55 hurdles (8.6), Murphy in the 55 meters (7.5), Braconnier in the 600 (1:49), Briggs in the 1000 (3:41) and Hallahan in the shot put (30-3).
The Pioneers had a pair of second-place finishes: Anna Radulski in the mile (6:48) and Katie Cash in the two mile (14:14).
On Thursday (Apr. 15), the Pioneers wrap up the regular season as they welcome Newburyport at 3:30 pm looking for an undefeated season. The Clippers are in the CAL Kinney Division.
