The Coe-Brown boys’ track and field team puts its versatility and depth on full display Saturday, scoring huge points in both the distance running and field events to beat out 27 other programs for the top spot at the 15th Annual Black Bear Invitational.
Coe-Brown held off Winnacunnet (83 points) for first place with 87 total points. Merrimack Valley (third, 60 points) was the only other local team to place in the top 10.
The Bears received big time performances from some of their usual suspects like Michael Mulligan (third in 400-meter run), Zach Richards (first in 800, second in 1600) and Will White (first in shot put), but also showed off their depth in a major way.
River Groves joined Richards in the top 10 for both the 800 and 1600, finishing sixth and fourth, respectively. Chris Pratt added a fifth-place finish in the 400 with Orion Clachar placing fourth in the 110 hurdles, Tanner Richards taking sixth in the pole vault and Isaiah Allen scoring across the board. Allen took second in the shot put, third in the discus and joined two other Bears with a finish inside the top 10 in the javelin.
Coe-Brown also won the 4×400 relay and took second in the 4×800.
For the girls, it was again Coe-Brown piecing together the highest team finish of all local teams. The Bears grabbed fourth place with 36 points – just eight behind third-place Oyster River.
Alli Pratt enjoyed a phenomenal showing by finishing third in the 1600 and second in the 3200. Teammate Eleanor McDonough finished ninth in the 3200 and Kathleen Collins dominated the discus, placing first overall.
Conant 10, Kearsarge 2
Key players: Kearsarge – Daniel Jagr (2 hits), Cy Courser (double)
Highlights/key moments: The Orioles posted double-digit runs for the first time all season to send the Cougars to their second loss in the last four games.
Records: Kearsarge 2-6; Conant 4-1