Thursday, February 8, 2007 Older Editions

A strong finish: Indoor track teams wrap it up

By Rick Harrison

Despite several strong individual performances, the Andover High girls and boys indoor track teams closed out their dual-meet seasons with close losses to visiting Tewksbury on Tuesday afternoon at the Collins Field House oval.

The Lady Warriors gave undefeated Merrimack Valley Conference Division 2 champion TMHS a scare before dropping a 46-40 decision.

The AHS boys came even closer in a 44-42 setback to crossover rivals the Redmen. Those results left the girls at 4-2 overall, including 3-1 in MVC Division 1 where they finished runner-up to unbeaten Central Catholic.

The boys were 1-6 with four of the losses by 10 points or less.

Schedule

This weekend the two-day State Coaches Invitational Meet and Elite Meet are scheduled at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury (9:30 a.m.).

The Merrimack Valley Conference Championship Meet is also on tap Monday, Feb. 12 at the Lewis Center (4 p.m.).

Tewksbury 46

Andover girls 40

The locals were intent on spoiling Tewksbury's perfect dual-meet season and they almost pulled it off.

AHS placed first in four of the 10 events with sophomore sprinter Christina Muccio (50 dash, 6.4), Rachel Fox (600 run, 1:30.9) and Colleen Shannon (1000 run, 2:49.5) all remaining undefeated in their specialties in MVC dual meets.

Fox and Shannon also joined Kayley Pettoruto and sophomore anchor Melissa Knapp on the victorious 4x400 relay team (4:25.5).

Pettoruto and Knapp chalked up individual thirds, the former in the 600 run (1:37.4) and the latter the 300 dash (40.3).

Finishing second for the Lady Warriors were hurdler Jess Forster (7.8), sprinter Bizzy DiTroia (50 dash, 6.6), Christina Conley (1000 run, 2:58.8), miler Casey Harrison (5:45.5), freshman two-miler Molly Van Doren (12:23.3) who chopped 20 seconds off her previous personal best time, and shot putter Rachel Licciardi (28'5").

The pivotal event was the high jump where TMHS swept the top three places and outscored Andover, 9-0, led by Kristen Judge's school-record 5'4" leap.

Tewksbury 44

Andover boys 42

Both teams placed first in five events, but 1-2 finishes in the 50 hurdles and 1000 helped push the Redmen (4-3-1) over the top to the win.

Individual victors for the Golden Warriors were undefeated freshman speedster Chris McConnell in the 50 dash (5.6), Mike Murray the 300 dash (36.0), miler Frank Perrone (4:47.6) and two-miler Peter Shaw (10:10.8) by a wide margin.

AHS also captured the final 4x400 relay with Murray, Shawn McDermott, Rob Martin and Dan Greeley (3:52.1).

Placing second for the locals were McDermott (300 dash, 36.1), Martin (600 run, 1:22.1), high jumper John Bigelow (5'5") and shot putter Greg Moore (41'10 1/2").

Rounding out the scorers in third were hurdler Randy Labrecque (7.1), Kevin Roselle (600 run, 1:23.8), Peter Roman (1000 run, 2:40.2), two-miler Nick Shoemaker (10:54.5) and shot putter J.B. Israel (41' 1/2").