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Sports

Needham Track Overcomes Elements at BSC Championships

Juniors Ryan McGloin and Peter Farlow capture second place finishes

It wasn't a day where records could easily be broken, but that didn't keep the Needham track teams from another strong team effort.

Despite the wind, rain and tough Bay State competition, both teams put forth strong performances to take home top-5 finishes in 12 different events.

"You can make the argument that the weather is a factor for everyone," said Needham coach Chris Van Cott, "but if you're looking for personal best performances, 55 degrees with rain and wind is not ideal."

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The conditions were especially tough for the sprinters, but that's where the Rockets stood out. After qualifying with a personal record of 23.17, junior Ryan McGloin placed second in the 200 with a time of 23.30. In his first year on the team McGloin has given Needham a real threat in the sprints.

"Ryan McGloin is really coming into his own at the right time," said Van Cott. "If someone had told me someone new would join the team and perform that well in an event that over the last several years we haven't been all that strong in, I would have thought that was a pretty tall order."

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McGloin was also a big part of the boys' fourth place (46:06) finish in the 4x100 relay along with juniors Brian Hazzard and Peter Farlow, and freshman Kevin Walsh..

The Rockets' best event of the day was the 400 hurdles, where they took second, fourth and sixth place. Farlow led the way finishing in 57.46, followed by Walsh at 61.91 and senior Matt McCormick at 63.50.

Also placing were senior Mike Ricci, who set a personal record and finished sixth in the 800 with a time of 2:03.92 and Hazzard, who placed third in the long jump with a 19'6.50" jump. 

The throwers continued their success with top five performances in shot put, javelin and discus. Senior Charlie Kenslea threw the shot put 42'1.75" for fourth place, sophomore Andrew Murowchick placed third in the javelin with a throw of 136'8", and Terry Mullen threw the discus 93'7" which was good enough for fifth place. Mullen also set a personal record with a 29' 5.5" throw in the shot put.

"It was her first time over 29 feet in competition," said Van Cott. 

Sophomore Olivia Nolan did well to finish fourth place in the 400 with a time of 66.42, despite being somewhat out of her element.

Also on the track for the girls, Hannah Alpert was sixth in the 800 at 2:28.11, and Katherine Ashenfelter came in fifth in the mile at 5:30.58.

The Rockets will have their last chance to qualify for divisionals at their meet at Notre Dame Academy on Saturday morning, and then have a week off before the Division 2 Class Meet next Friday.

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