With most schools on April vacation this week, Merrimack Valley hosted the MV Invitational, with 32 teams convening in Penacook for the non-scoring meet, a format typically used this time of year.
“We have so many kids either off in Florida with band or somewhere else on vacation, it really gives us a chance to see every level of kid,” MV Coach Bob Mullen said. “The elites demonstrate their abilities and it gives younger kids a glimpse of how the season progresses.”
Mullen highlighted four of his athletes whom he felt stood out. Junior Brandon Wood was named the outstanding performer of the meet. Wood won both the 110 hurdles (15.12) and 300 hurdles (41.61) while also anchoring the 4×100 (first place) and 4×400 (second place) relay teams.
Kristie Schoffield finished in first place in the 1600 (5:09.8) and second in the 400 (1:01.4). Like Wood, Schoffield also anchored the 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams, both coming in second place.
“The 4×400 was a phenomenal race,” Mullen said. “They lost by four-tenths of a second to Coe-Brown. It was unbelievably close.”
Mullen was proud of all four relay teams, saying they “knocked off huge chunks of time” from the preliminaries to the final rounds.
Kaitlyn Covell finished in second in the 300 hurdles and sixth in the 100 hurdles. Freshman Asia-Grace Hanson had a good day as well, finishing fourth in the javelin and being a part of the 4×400 relay team along with Covell.
“We’re fortunate to have so many teams compete in this invitational,” Mullen said. “The good get better and the better become the best. We had a powerful representation of Division II and III schools, and the data (from these invitationals) is solid. It really shows the talent of an individual from across the state.”
Hopkinton also had good representation, with Nick Fleury taking first in the 100 (11.23) and second in the long jump (20-). The 4×400 boys’ relay team took first place, with Aaron Dobe, Max Rossingol, Dom Repucci and Fleury anchoring. Repucci also finished third in the 3200. And Sarah Nadeau was fifth in the 1600.
Brooke Laskowsky won the 800 (2:20.17) and Julia Cormier won the 3200 (11:29.67) to lead Coe-Brown along with Elisabeth Danie (2nd 1600), Christen Gallant (2nd pole vault, 2nd javelin), Kathleen Collins (2nd discus), Alli Pratt (3rd 1600) and Meg Scannell (3rd 3200). Zach Richards (3rd 800), Tanner Richards (3rd 1600), Orion Clachar (3rd 110 hurdles) and Will White (3rd shot put) paced the Bears’ boys.
Dominique Biron won the high jump (5-0) and was fourth in both the 100 and 200 to lead Bow, along with Brian Bushnell (5th 100, 4th 200).
Troy Davis won the high jump (6-4) and the long jump (20-1), John Cunningham won the pole vault (9-6), and Zach Astle won the shot put (52-0) and was second in the discus to power Kearsarge, along with Ian Bready (2nd 300 hurdles, 5th 110 hurdles) and Patricia Jewell (5th 3200).
Jaila Remillard won the long jump (15-9) and was third in the 100 hurdles for Winnisquam, while Henry Stock took second in the javelin and fifth in the discus.
Belmont’s Kyle Gelinas won the 1600 in 4:35.47, and Eli Allman was second in the 110 hurdles.
Joe Bell took fourth in the triple jump to lead Bishop Brady, while Jonathan Taylor was the top Concord Christian athlete, taking third in the javelin.
From coaches’ reports
Nashua North Invitational
Key players: Concord – Angel Feliz (1st 100, 10-81; 2nd 200, 22.27; 1st long jump, 21-0), Jamie Wilkes (1st mile, 4:30; 5th 800, 2:04), Oliver Spencer (3rd fr./so. mile, 4:44), Alex Duncan (4th fr./so. mile, 4:48), Matt Adams (4th 400, 52.6), Clinton Mungeta (2nd 300 hurdles, 44.66), 4×100 relay (6th in 45.38)
Highlights/key moments: Feliz was named athlete of the meet after winning both the 100 and long jump, taking second in the 200 and running on the 6th-place 4×100 relay. Wilkes won the most exciting race of the day, coming back from being down by almost 20 meters.
Coach’s quote: “I don’t think I have ever seen Angel so proud. He got spiked pretty bad in the 4×100, almost six pretty good cuts, and he got in, cleaned up and busted the 200. In the past he might have jogged that in, but he fought through it and ran a great 200. He is learning what it takes to be considered on of the best sprinters in the state.” – Concord’s Hayden Daly
Kearsarge first,
Winnisquam second
Key players: Hopkinton – Nick Fleury (1st 100, 11.48), Dom Repucci (1st 400, 54.02), Tucker Winhurst (2nd 1600), Kevin McGrath (2nd high jump); Winnisquam – Scott Hinds (2nd 400, 2nd pole vault), Henry Stock (2nd shot put; 1st discus, 112-0), Michael Buxton (2nd discus); Kearsarge – Carl Betz (2nd 800), Mason Benedict (2nd 3200), Ian Bready (1st 110 hurdles, 17.54; 1st 300 hurdles, 43.89), Grant Croft (2nd 110 hurdles), Troy Davis (1st high jump, 6-2; 1st long jump, 21-6), Aidan Terhune (1st triple jump, 39-5), 4×100 relay (1st in 47.11), 4×400 relay (1st in 3:48.85), 4×800 relay (1st in 8:49.94); Franklin – Kyle Adams (1st pole vault, 9-6)
Highlights/key moments: In a meet held on Tuesday, host Kearsarge scored 90 points to top Winnisquam (46), Campbell (42), Stevens (37), Hopkinton (36), Mascoma (22), Derryfield (21) and Franklin (10).
Nashua North Invitational
Key players: Concord – Michaella Conery (1st mile, 5:21; 2nd 800, 2:24.76), and Grace Devanny (2nd 100, 12.47; 1st 200, 25.23), Yelena Beauseleil (3rd discus), 4×400 relay (4th in 4:19)
Highlights/key moments: Devanny, just a freshman, broke the school record in both the 100 and 200, eclipsing records by Amy Vanaskie that had stood since 1988.
Coach’s quote: “Grace breaking the school record is really going to open a lot of eyes around the state that she is a special talent. Michaella is having a great season so far, I can’t wait to see what she does at the end.” – Concord’s Hayden Daly
Winnisquam first,
Kearsarge fourth
Key players: Winnisquam – Jaila Remillard (1st 200, 27.98; 1st 100 hurdles, 19.23; 1st long jump, 14-10), Makenzie Snow (1st triple jump, 26-5), Kaylyn Dion (1st discus, 82-3), Hannah Blackburn (2nd discus), 4×400 relay (1st in 4:58.99); Kearsarge – Maggie Lee (2nd 800), Patricia Jewell (1st 3200, 13:06.85), Courtney Lauster (2nd high jump), 4×100 relay (1st in 56.85), 4×400 relay (2nd), 4×800 relay (1st in 11:44.55); Franklin – Sidney Ericson (2nd 100 hurdles); Hopkinton – 4×100 relay (2nd)
Highlights/key moments: In a meet held on Tuesday, Winnisquam’s 60 points bested Campbell (50), Stevens (49.5), host Kearsarge (46), Derryfield (25), Mascoma (18), Hopkinton (10.5) and Franklin (9).
Franklin 3, Campbell 1, 8 inn.
Key players: Franklin – Anna Doherty (2 hits, RBI), Hanne Nichols (2 hits, RBI), Kaylee Marshe (4-hitter, 12 Ks, 3 BB, 2 HBP), Rachael Capri, Hailey Haskins, Breanna Styles, Meghan Johnston and Anna Sylvestre (hit apiece)
Highlights/key moments: Franklin beat the three-time defending D-III champs, scoring twice in extra innings and riding the strong arm of Marshe. Doherty got the winning rally started with a one-out triple in the eighth and scored on a Nichols double. Styles then reached on an infield error, allowing Nichols to score the insurance run. Marshe set the Cougars down in order in the bottom of the eighth.
Coach’s quote: Making no errors is a great thing in itself, but to add several outstanding defensive plays is just frosting on the cake. Add that to timely hitting and a 12-strikeout performance by Kaylee Marshe and you’ve got an exciting game.” – Franklin’s Skip DuBois
Records: Franklin 5-0; Campbell 4-1
Hopkinton 5, Mascenic 4
Key players: Kyle Slevira (2 hits; winning pitcher, 7 Ks, 1 BB, 5 H), Jacob Walling (2 hits), David Nelson (2-run double), Will Rhynhart (diving catch in LF)
Highlights/key moments: Slevira set the tone for the Hawks, retiring the first nine batters in a game played at Cooperstown, N.Y. Slevira got it done at the plate, as well, singling to start the first, and after Alex Lajeunesse walked, the two pulled off a double steal then scored on Nelson’s double. The Hawks tacked on two more runs in the second an a Josh Angell single, Kolin LaPage bunt single, Rhynhart sacrifice fly and Slevira RBI single. Mascenic pulled even with four in the fourth, but Hopkinton plated the winning run in the fifth after Walling singled, Ben McManus reached on an error and Walling scored on an errant pickoff throw.
Coach’s quote: “We’ve been down, but the kids really pulled together, and Kyle really kind of got us going.” – Hopkinton’s Dave Chase
Records: Hopkinton 2-4; Mascenic 4-2
Campbell 9, Franklin 2
Key players: Campbell – Kyle Shaw (4-for-4, home run, 4 runs); Franklin – Brendon Frechette (complete game), Bryan Sweet (2 hits), Max Joyce (RBI), Tyler Arnold (RBI), Dylan Cooper (run), Dylan Bryson (run)
Highlights/key moments: Franklin scored both of its runs in the third inning, trailing just 3-2 with one out and the bases loaded. Campbell’s pitcher settled down, striking out the next batter and inducing a fly ball to center to get out of the jam. Campbell didn’t allow another run and extending its winning streak to five.
Coach’s quote: “We knew going in this was going to be a tough game. The third inning hurt us, having the bases loaded and only scraping out two runs. We had an opportunity there to go ahead by a few and couldn’t capitalize.” – Franklin’s Dave Joyce
Records: Campbell 5-0; Franklin 3-2
Hanover 10, Pembroke 1
Key player: Pembroke – James Fisher (hit)
Highlights/key moments: Hanover pitched a one-hitter en route to a convincing win over the Spartans.
Coach’s quote: “It was a tough day at the plate. We need to continue to work and good things will happen.” – Pembroke’s Joshua Coughlin
Records: Pembroke 0-3; Hanover 2-1