Big Blue Opens Seasons Against Peabody

The Swampscott High School Track & Field opened up their 2013 spring season against the Peabody Tanners on Thursday afternoon at Upper Jackson Park. Both teams fell to the Tanners, but the day was not without promise for the two Big Blue teams.

The track was packed with fans and spectators, creating a competitive atmosphere with quite the buzz around it, and ideal weather provided opportune circumstances for the student-athletes.

On the girls' side, the Big Blue fell with a score of 79-56. Head Coach Joe Tenney was positive about his team's effort upon the conclusion of the meet. "Today was a tough loss against Peabody, but it was a step in the right direction," said Tenney. "I am very proud of what the girls and the coaching staff has done prior to the start of the season."

The Big Blue had a variety of point scorers in their efforts. Winners for the Big Blue included Alison Carr (high jump, 5'8"), Melinda Wilson (discus, 118'7"), Haley Irwin (triple jump, 33'11.5"), Tiara-Smith Matthews (100 meters, 13.4), the 4x100 meter relay team of Smith-Matthews, Bailey Shore, Melina Wilson, and Lauren Moran (54.9), Vy Le (100 meter hurdles, 16.7), and the 4x400 relay team of Alison Grimes, Taylor Gateman, Aisling Dennehy, and Maia Buks.
Picking up second place finishes were Wilson (shot put, 30'7"), Smith-Mathews (long jump, 14'2"), Irwin (high jump, 4'8"), Dennehy (triple jump, 30'1" and 400 meters, 61.9), and Sarah Kelley (800 meters, 2:35.9). Third place finishers included Shauna King (javelin, 71'1"), Bailey Shorr (100 meters, 14.2), and Alison Grimes (200 meters, 29.4).

"Peabody is always a well-fought meet," concluded Tenney.

On the boys' side, the Big Blue were eager to compete against one of the top programs in the state. Head Coach Peter Bush was pleased with the effort of his team, despite the loss of 79-47.

"I think we're definitely headed in the right direction. There were definitely a lot of positives today," noted Bush.

Swampscott earned wins from Peter Hale (two mile, 10:25), Declan McClung (400 meters, 52.8), Malik Newsome (200 meters, 24.2), Robert Seymour (shot put, 48'), and the 4x400 relay team of Marco Scibelli, Aiden Brawley, Ian Munnelly, and McClung. Second place finishers included Noah Conti (400 meter hurdles, 64.0), Matt Mahoney (one mile, 4:41), Scibelli (400 meters, 54.3), Bennett Smith (800 meters, 2:07), Justin Chasse (shot put, 41'), Seymour (discus, 114'3"), Phil Cherner (high jump, 5'6"), and Brawley (javelin, 137'8"). Third place finishers for the Blue included Zach Blonder (100 meters), Cherner (100 meter hurdles), John King (high jump, 5'2"; triple jump).

"The big test is going to be where kids take it. If they continue to buy into the system and continue to be coachable, with the right attitude and a strong work ethic they'll continue to drop PRs."

With many personal record times during the first meet of the season, the outdoor season looks promising for the Big Blue!

The Big Blue will next compete against Salem on Tuesday, April 9th at Upper Jackson. The meet will start at 4:00PM.