Jack gets ready for the shot put

The weather was almost perfect at Poland, where the middle school track team had another impressive day.  Thanks to the meet officials who kept things running at a fast clip (although a certain runner had to talk her way into one of the sprints after missing final call).  Again we saw two new middle school records, ten PRs, and the season’s first girls’ 4 x 100 relay, which qualified for the championship.  Another thank you to all our supporters who made the trip (and brought oranges!) The girls’ team, still not completely at full strength, finished with 17 points, while the boys scored 27, beating Cape Elizabeth and coming within a point and a half of Lake Region.  Full results here.

Lea, Liz, Grace and Jake

On the boys’ side, Jack and Bryce got things off to an exciting start at the shot put.  Jack set a PR by over a foot, while Bryce broke his own MS record by 5 inches.  Over at the long jump, both Charlie and Jake had solid jumps over ten feet.  Bryce was equally successful in the discus, setting a huge PR and finishing second overall.  Jack came close to his furthest throw while Charlie also had some good results.  Over at high jump, Reed put in a solid effort and Jake equalled his best jump, finishing fifth.  Henry and Reed started things off on the track in the 1600, with Henry winning his first mile of the season.  In another dramatic 400, Charlie equalled his best time and hung on for a third place finish.  It was even closer in the 800, where Henry beat out the competition by less than a tenth of a second to win.  Reed also raced the 800, surging again and again to finally pass a rather erratic runner from Poland.  In the 200, both Jake and Jack came close to their fastest times, while Bryce continued his streak of personal bests (three for three!)

Bryce running the 200m

For the girls, Lea and Grier had a good day over at the long jump, with Lea setting a PR by over a foot and Grier equalling her best jump.  At the high jump, Emilie had a good opening jump, while Liz and Grace both hung on through 4’2″ to finish third and fourth, respectively.  On the track, Emilie and Liz had success with the hurdles–Emilie set a huge PR and Liz finished second. Emilie also tried the 1600 for the first time, bettering her unofficial early season time by over 30 seconds! Grace, Grier, Lea and Liz took to the track for the season’s first girls’ 4 x 100 relay, finishing a very close 4th overall.  In the 800, Grier ran very aggressively to finish 5th overall and set a PR by 4 seconds.  In a rather crowded 200, both Grace and Lea improved their times and Grace finished fourth overall.

Grace's high jump approach

 Check out more photos here.  Hope to see you all at our last regular season meet at Fryeburg next Thursday!

Emilie running the 1600m

Finally, a break in the weather! Despite the threat of rain, we actually saw sunlight at the meet, and no one needed parkas in between events.  Traveling up to Gray New Gloucester, middle school track had another successful day, including two new middle school records, 9 PRs and the first ever boys’ 4 x 100 relay.  We also had athletes try out many events for the first time.  Athletes qualified for the championship in 7 new events.  Thank you to our enthusiastic spectators who made the trip.  The girls’ team was again down a few members, but still managed to finish with 11.5 points.  The boys’ team finished fourth with 18 points, with each member of the team contributing to the score for the first time this season. Full results here.

In the field events, Charlie got things started with a solid effort in the high jump before hustling over to discus.  He was joined by Jack, Kyle and Bryce, who finished third overall.  Kyle, Jack and Bryce also put in time at the shot circle, throwing well against some seriously large competitors.  High jump again closed out the meet, with Jake again scissor- kicking to great heights.  Reed managed to break his 4 foot block, setting a new PR, while Henry tied the middle school record (and it was his first time competing the high jump!)  On the track, Henry and Reed got things rolling in the mile, with Henry finishing second and Reed setting a new PR by 8 seconds.  Then it was on to the 4 x 100 relay, where for the first time ever, NYA fielded a team.  Bryce, Kyle, Jack and Jake ran hard, executed good baton passes and finished fourth overall.  Charlie ran a very competitive 400, placing fifth with a very strong second and third 100 meters.  In the 800, Henry won and smashed the old record by 5 seconds, while Reed finished fourth with a very strong performance.  Jake ran the 200 for the first time, cruising to the finish with a respectable debut.

The girls’ team was again missing a few members due to illness, but those who were there had a great day.  In the long jump, both Lea and Grier set PRs, with Lea jumping over a foot farther than in previous meets.  Grier also bettered her shot put best by several inches.  Over at the high jump, despite frequent interruptions, Kendra had some good jumps while Grace improved her best by two inches and finished second overall.  Over on the track, Lea shaved a tenth of a second off her best 100 time.  Kendra lined up in a very large co-ed mile, finishing second among the girls (and beating a few of the guys).  Grace tried out the 400 for the first time, running a well-paced race and finishing third.  Grier went out at a moderate pace in the 800 and then dropped the hammer on the second lap, passing six or seven runners.  In the 200, Grace improved her best time while Lea ran it for the first time (which completes her sprint trifecta for the season).