The Pinkerton Academy boys’ indoor track team powered its way to its fourth consecutive Division I championship and the Derry school’s girls’ indoor track team wound up a strong third at the D-I title events at the University of New Hampshire Saturday, Feb. 21.
After having the divisional championships cancelled twice by snowstorms and moved from Dartmouth College to UNH, the Pinkerton males did what people expected them to in keeping the D-I championship trophy firmly in their grasp.
The Lady Astros’ managed a strong performance of their own, finishing behind only Bedford and Bishop Guertin of Nashua in a field of 15 teams.
BOYS
The guys tallied 91 points to pummel the competition, with the Londonderry Lancers finishing a distant second (54) and Merrimack an even more distant third (36) in a 15-team field.
The four-time champions had junior star T.J. Urbanik exhibit his athleticism in leading the Astros to victory as a part of the first-place 4×160 relay team, which included Colin Coutts, Jadyn Ruimwijk, and Nico Buccieri. That victorious quartet ran a winning time of 1 minute, 15.74 seconds.
Urbanik also produced second places in the 300-meter dash and the long jump, and a third in the long-jump.
The state champs also snared places two through five in the 3000-meter run, thanks to the strong work of runner-up Nick Sevilla, Tom Hanlon, Jeff Reddy, and Matt Robinson; second place in the 600-meter run; thanks to Sam Lanternier; and a third in the 4×400 relay.
GIRLS
The Bedford Lady Bulldogs plowed their way to 103 points and the D-I crown, with Guertin a distant second (58) and Pinkerton third (46).
Among the Lady Astros’ highlights was veteran star Morgan Sansing’s first place and new Division I record in the 3000 (10:13.54). And that wasn’t it for Sansing on the day.
“She doubled and placed second in the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:54.54. We look forward to her competing in the New England Championships this week,” said coach Rebecca Noe.
The girls also got a win in the 1,000 from Britney Johnson, who posted a title-taking time of 3:10.23.
The 4×800 relay quartet of Maison D’Amelio, Taylor Lacey, Sadie Farnsworth, and Samantha Mangano snagged a third place, as did reliable veteran shot put stalwart Kayla Watson.
“Placing third overall, the team is excited and proud,” said Noe. “They have worked hard over the season, but stayed extremely dedicated as the season was prolonged due to weather. We lost three D-I athletes to the February vacation, and the team rallied to complete the goals they made in early December. This is an exceptional team with great heart.”
