Boys Divisional Indoor Track Championships: Team Effort Carries Lowell; Algonquin Wins Division 2 Thriller

A nearly weeklong run of divisional state championships once again took over the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center. Division 1 kicked things off on Wednesday, February 12, followed by Division 2 on Thursday, February 13.

The Division 3-4 meets were set for Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15, respectively. Because of the forecast of inclement weather, the Division 5 Championship has been rescheduled for Monday, February 17.

Division 1

Lowell earned the program's first indoor state championship since 2019, compiling 59 points to finish clear of runner-up Newton North High School (46) and third-place finisher Brockton High School (40).

Depth was the key for the Red Raiders, who picked up their only event victories in a pair of relays. The foursome of juniors Denzel Kisekka and Ethan Thenevin, and seniors Abdul Jalloh and Raymond Dafe crossed the line with a winning time of 3 minutes, 23.61 seconds. Then in the 4x800 relay, the all-senior team of Jovani Ubri, Dafe, Alex Rodgers and Jalloh closed out the team title with a run of 8:03.11.

Khai Yin placed second in the 55-meter hurdles (7.36) and Rodgers added a second in the 1,000 meters (2:34.73) for Lowell.  

Yin was edged out by Brockton senior Lucas Andrade, who set one of the two meet records during the event. Andrade's time of 7.30 seconds eclipsed the previous mark from 2020. Andrade also placed second in the 55-meter dash (6.52).

Newton North's runner-up performance was led by the state record run by Reese Connors in the 300 meters. The senior's time of 33.94 seconds shattered the previous mark that had stood since 2018. Connors also led off the Tigers win in the 4x200 relay with seniors Alexander Hofmann, Alexandre Papakonstantinou and Juan Talisayon (1:30.51).

Division 1 Results     

Division 2

Algonquin Regional was crowned champion in dramatic fashion and by the narrowest of margins. With one point for an eighth-place finish in the final event, the 4x800 relay, the Titans secured their 43rd team point and just squeezed ahead of runner-up Peabody Veterans Memorial High School (42).

The Titans did win three events to help their cause, including a double by Miles Lipka. The senior won the 55-meter hurdles in 7.56 seconds, then added a victory in the high jump (6-4), Senior Jonah Gould picked up a key win for Algonquin in the mile (4:24.98).

Peabody was led by the 1-2 finish in the shot put from seniors Alex Jackson (61-3) and Areno Saint-Victor (52-8 3/4). Senior Evan Bedard also was second in the long jump (22-6 3/4), and senior Declan Smith third in the 1,000 meters (2:32.85).

The rest of the team standings were tight, with Bridgewater-Raynham Regional in third (38), followed by Reading Memorial High School (37), Marshfield High School (35), then Winchester High School and Catholic Memorial School (34 apiece).

Division 2 Results     

Division 3

Milton High School climbed to the top of the podium for the first time since 1998, riding the record-setting performance of senior Zakai Perkins to 71 team points, well ahead of runner-up Billerica Memorial High School (54).

Perkins broke the meet record in the 55-meter hurdles (7.40) and also won the long jump (22-5 ½) to get the Wildcats rolling. Senior Joshua Toth won the mile (4:24.59), and the Wildcats capped the victory by taking the 4x400 relay behind sophomore Noah Tran, senior Luka Juric, and juniors Pablo Aldecoa and Miles Fergus (3:28.12). Milton also was second in the 4x200 and third in the 4x800.

Billerica captured the 4x200 (1:31.17) and also got an individual victory from junior Shane Leslie in the 1,000 (2:32.43).

Walpole senior Austin Feener was a double-winner, taking the 55 meters (6.48) and 300 (34.92) as the Timberwolves placed third overall (36.5). Amherst Regional was close behind in fourth (35), with Burlington High School and Melrose High School tied for fifth (33).

Division 3 Results     

Division 4

Pembroke High School ran away with the team championship, including a rare 1-2-3 sweep in the 300 meters.

Seniors Gabe Lamar (35.05), Luke Lamar (35.64) and Jayden Leonard (35.70) crossed the finish line in sequence, highlighting the Titans’ team total of 74 points. That was well clear of runner-up Ludlow High School (47) and third-place Wakefield Memorial High School (45.5).

Leonard also won the 55 meters (6.57), and he and the Lamar brothers joined junior Kyle Tracy to win the 4x200 (1:31.17).

Senior Casey Motta added a second place in the 1,000 (2:41.71).

Senior Logan Walsh led Ludlow’s runner-up finish by taking first in both the 1,000 (2:41.06) and mile (4:24.73). The Lions also won the 4x800 (8:27.92).

Old Rochester Regional was fourth as a team (31.5), with Medfield High School fifth (27).

Division 4 Results