NATHAN MILLER had an historic day at the CAL Open Championship on Saturday in Newburyport, winning the 100, 200 and long jump. The CAL Athlete of the Year and Athlete of the Meet beat the NRHS school record in the 100 meters with a new time of 10.85, beating a previous record set by coach Sotirios Pintzopoulos (pictured). (NRHS Track Photo)

 

NEWBURYPORT — It is quite safe to say that senior co-captain Nathan Miller had one of the most historic performances in NR and CAL track history on Saturday, May 20 in Newburyport.

Following his lead, the Hornets placed a solid 4th overall in the meet with a team total of 88 points. Newburyport took 1st with a total of 121 points.

“We had a solid day across the board and we are happy with the team result,” said Hornets Head Coach Ryan Spinney. “We had a number of athletes achieve season or overall personal bests today. That is all we can ask for.”

Miller was voted the Kinney Division Male Athlete of the Year by the coaches in the league a few days before the Cape Ann League Open Championship. He absolutely proved why he deserved that honor with his performance on Saturday. Miller won the title of league champion in the 100 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Dash and the Long Jump, against one of the most talented fields of competitors in recent years. In the process, he broke the 22 year school record in the 100 Meter Dash held by Sotirios Pintzopoulos (11.14) by more than a quarter of a second with a new time of 10.85. The time also broke the CAL Open Meet record by .09 seconds.

Nathan followed it up with a victory in the 200 Meter Dash in a time of 22.54, only a mere .06 seconds off his all time best. He then concluded his day with a victory in the Long Jump with a jump of 20′ 9.5.”

“What Nathan did today is the stuff of legend,” said Spinney. “It is extremely difficult to win one event at the league level, but to win three events, including having to run preliminary heats in both the 100 and 200 events, and then to cap it off with a victory in the long jump, is just incredible. There is no one that deserves it more. Nathan’s work ethic matches his talent. We are so incredibly fortunate that he is a part of our program and his positive impact will be felt for years to come because of the solid example he has set for his teammates.”

Miller’s 30 points made up roughly one-third of the Hornets’ point total on the day. Sophomore Nicolas Johnson was also a CAL Open champion as he won the Pole Vault event with a vault of 11′ 0″. Teammates, Seniors Vincent Pastore (11′ 0″) and Rocco Tammaro (9′ 0″) finished 2nd and 6th to help the Hornets dominate the event.

“Pole Vault has been such a strong event for us all spring,” said Spinney. “Nico, Vinny and Rocco have done a great job leading the way for us and for all three to score at the league championship is amazing.”

Senior Michael Hemme dazzled once again as he finished 2nd overall in the 1 Mile Run with a 4:27.88, a huge 8 second personal best, and his time is now the 2nd fastest recorded Hornet time in Spring Track history for the event. He followed it up with a 5th place finish in the 800 Meter Run, on very short rest as a matter of fact, in a time of 2:04.96, which is only half a second off his personal best.

“Michael is as tough a customer as they come,” said Spinney. “Very few athletes can do the 1 Mile and 800 double on short rest and he did it in historic fashion. He is truly a gritty runner and has such talent.”

Sophomore Kaio Pancini took 3rd overall in the 110 Meter Hurdles with a time of 17.70.

“Kaio is emerging as a premier hurdler in the CAL,” said Spinney. “He is getting more confident and is racing very intelligently. He really is coming into his own and the next two years will be awesome to watch him continue to improve.”

The 4 x 100 Meter Relay team of Freshman Seth Evans, Sophomore Kieran Miller, Senior co-Captain Caleb Sands and Senior Brodie Mann took third in the event in a time of 46.02.

Senior Owen Delano and Freshman Otto Indelicato took third and fifth in the Shot Put with throws of 41′ 5″ (a personal best for Delano) and 39′ 1.5″ respectively. Senior Kyle McCormack took 4th in the Discus with a personal best toss of 125′ 2″. Junior Noah Schifano has a 5th place finish in the Triple Jump with his jump of 41′ 0.5″ and rounding out the Hornet scorers included the 6th place 4 x 400 Meter Relay team of Senior Christian DaCosta, Sophomore Torin Nickerson, Senior Ben Meier and Brodie Mann in a time of 4:04 and 4 x 800 Meter Relay squad of DaCosta, Meier, Senior co-Captain Nick Fabrizio and Junior James Dillon in a season best time of 9:07.55.

The Hornets will now focus on the MIAA Division 5 State Championship which will take place over two days, May 25 and May 27. The Hornets are the defending Champions of this meet and are looking to do all they can to keep that title.