Luders earns CAL MVP for second consecutive year

Published May 5, 2021

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — Last Thursday, the Cape Ann League indoor track and field coaches selected their All-Star team. Three Lynnfield High individuals made the squad along with two relay teams.

April Luders led the way as the senior captain was named the league’s MVP for the second consecutive year. She went 5-0 in the 55-meter hurdles this season and was part of the two relay teams.

“She is unbelievable,” stated Pioneers head coach Adam Dell’Aria, who just completed his first year at the helm. “She was the main reason we won that Ipswich meet. She is a very hard worker and is humble despite how good she is.”

Riley Hallahan also made the team as the junior went 5-0 in the shot put. It was her first time on the squad.

“She did outdoor track as a freshman,” recalled Dell’Aria. “It was great to have her because, normally she couldn’t do indoor track since she is on the basketball team. We are looking forward to this spring season with her.”

Lauren Braconnier was the third Pioneer to make the squad as the senior went 3-1 in the 600 meters. 

“She has the same mindset as April,” said Dell’Aria. “She is very dependable and was the anchor for our 4×400 team.”

Both the 4×200 and 4×400 relay teams also made the CAL All-Stars.

Madison Murphy, Jasmine Rose, Luders, and Braconnier are on the 4×200 team while Rose, Luders and Braconnier teamed with Bianca Guarracino in the 4×400 relay.

This was another memorable season for the Pioneers as they won the CAL Baker Division for the second year in a row going 4-0 during this Fall 2 season where the meets took place outdoors. They finished at 4-1 overall with their lone loss coming to CAL Kinney Division school Newburyport.

“It was a great season,” stated Dell’Aria, who will now help coach the Pioneer girls’ spring team. “We had a strong freshman group that gelled with the solid veterans we had back.”

Along with Luders, Braconnier and Murphy, the team will lose two other seniors: Bella Scala and Bella Miranda.

Dell’Aria will miss all five of them.