Published April 4, 2019
NORTH READING — The girls’ outdoor track and field team has set its sights on repeating as State Champion for an unprecedented fourth year in a row, after winning the Division 4 State Championship in 2016 and 2017 and the Division 3 State Championship in 2018. Despite graduating some top-notch state level athletes, this year’s team feels it is up for the challenge.
Coach Sotirios Pintzopoulos has always set lofty goals for the team as they have achieved a great amount of success over the past thirteen years winning five state championships and three runner-up trophies. Coming off a successful indoor track and field season this past winter in which the girls won their second straight indoor track State Championship gives this season’s team an added amount of confidence. However, to have a successful season they will have to stay healthy and focused throughout the season and train efficiently each day. Coach Pintzopoulos is joined by coaches Joe Davis (sprints), Andrew Falanga (throws), Kirsten MacLellan (hurdles), Ryan Spinney (distance)and volunteer coaches Tom Ledoux and Katie Equi who, combined, bring decades worth of competitor and coaching experience in their respective event areas and the sport as a whole.
THE NRHS girls’ outdoor track and field team is going for their fourth consecutive state championship this spring. (Courtesy Photo)
Captains Kelly Bratton, Mia DeNofrio, Abigail Griffin, Megan Lawlor and Kaitlyn Shevlin will lead this year’s team. Each of them is looking to end their high school career with a perfect 4-0 record at the state championship meet. Returning seniors also include several athletes who have experience competing at the state level such as Molly Feffer, Charlotte Grant, Grace Hadley, Samantha Martel, Abigail Martin, Meredith Martin and Kerry O’Brien.
The junior class of fourteen athletes includes many returning varsity level and state level competitors with Elena Cogan, Ava Jolie Femia, Samantha Galvin, Ali Grasso, Emily Kuperstein, Kaitlyn Lehane, Lindsay MacLellan, Lauren Meaney, Talia Monteleone, Isabella Parrett, Meagan Phillips, Caitlin Raimo, Isabella Raso and Gia Torra.
The sophomore class of ten athletes includes the indoor track and field season MVP Katelyn Gorgenyi as well as multiple returning varsity and junior varsity athletes such as Angelina Casciano, Elisa Douglas, Olivia Giurleo, Morgan Majeski, Ashley Rabbitt, Kerri-Ann Sexton, Jessica Solecki, Julia Thorstad and Jillian Wallace.
Rounding out the team is a group of fourteen talented and determined freshman looking for recognition as contributors to the team. These athletes include Athanasia Arnold, Lauren Boudoya, Kelly Crossan, Maddie DiNapoli, Kiersten Fortin, Sophia Galuppo, Brooke Harrington, Jessica Hill, Ellie Janasiewicz, Lily Joyce, Lindsay Keller, Samantha Magner, Abigail McLaughlin, Ella McTeague, Ella Monteleone, Brianna Saunders-Correa and Nicole Steinmeyer.
The team opens up its season next Monday, April 8 competing against Masconomet and Newburyport at home starting at 4 p.m. Come by the track and cheer on the team as they seek to accomplish yet another successful season.
