Senior takes second at New England Championships
JACKSON GALLAGHER, a senior, ran his last 600 meter race in the New England Championships and captured second overall in a time of 1:20.60. Gallagher will be moving on to indoor nationals where he will be running the 400.
(Donna Larsson File Photo)
BOSTON — Senior Jackson Gallagher ran his last 600 meter race in indoor track and ended his career with a bang on Friday in the New England Championships at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center.
Before a jam-packed house, Gallagher ran another personal best and dropped his school record time once again to 1:20.60 by placing second to the defending champion, St. John’s Prep standout Joe Luongo and #2 ranked 600 meter runner in the country. Gallagher remains at U.S. #7.
Luongo ran a first place time of 1:19.37.
Prior to this season only one Massachusetts runner, Andre Rolim of Somerville, has run faster than 1:20. This would indicate that Gallagher’s 1:20.60 is one of the best all time 600 meter runs of all time in the state.
Gallagher was the only runner to go with Luongo through the full 600 meters and was almost two seconds ahead of the third place finisher, Hany Ramadan (1:22.34) of Portland, Maine.
Gallagher’s had the WMHS school record since his sophomore year when he ran 1:26 and ran exactly two seconds from his best time last year.
Although there is no 600 meter distance at Nationals, Gallagher has qualified for the New Balance Nationals 400 meter run based on his 600 meter time. He will travel to the New York City Armory in two weeks to compete in the championship division.
