SCRAPBOOK: Track Teams Turn It On Against Salem

Both boys and girls Big Blue track teams turned in impressive performances in their meets against Salem Thursday.

They ran hard to the very end of races at the end of their season. Only post-regular-season meets remain including the State Meet in February at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Boston.

On Thursday at thefield house the boys won their meet, 70-15; and the girls won theirs, 62-23.

Both teams competed with grit. 

Coach Joe Tenney was pleased to see the athletes push themselves and encourage teammates as the season wound down.

A highlight was the mile run by Trevor Whelan. He ran his first ever sub-5-minute mile, reached a longstanding goal and was urged on by yelling teammates who waved him across the finish.

One of the pit crew was Ryan Kelley.

"It was a big goal for us," he said. Trevor's time, 4:59, gives the Big Blue five sub-5-minute milers, he said

Jack Dishman came in first in the 2-mile running 11:51. Teammate Peter Hale ran stride for stride with him and spoke encouraging words.

The coach also pointed to performances by Robert Seymour, who threw 46 feet 7 inches in the shot put, Kevin Nguyen, who ran the 50 yard hurdles in 9 seconds, and Declan McClung, who ran the 600 meters in 1:35. Each of them came in first place in their events.

The coach for the girls team, Eric Robinson, said there were fine performances by team members including several personal bests.

Tess Gorman took first and qualified for states with a 5:47 mile, and Emily Cerra came in second running a strong race at 5:49.

Emma Walsh high jumped 4 feet 8 inches, coming in first in the event.

Megan Mahoney took first in the 2-mile running 14:02.

And Kathy Vu threw 28 feet 4 inches in the shot put, good for second place.

Melinda Wilson took first in both the shot put, throwing 31 feet 2 inches, and the 600 meters, running 1:48.