This was the one title that had eluded the Hopkinton girls. The core group of this year’s Hopkinton track and field team had won titles on the cross country and Nordic ski trails, but never on the track. But this year’s team had the right combination of pieces to put it all together.
Freshman Grace Hall won both the long jump and triple jump titles, a strong group of distance runners won the 4×800-meter relay, and the Hawks had a smattering of points across several other events to claim the 2021 Division III girls’ track and field crown on Tuesday at Gilford High School.
Hopkinton scored 68 points, with Newfound (49), Newport (48), Portsmouth Christian (46), Campbell (46) and Kearsarge (42) rounding out the top six teams. The Hawks won five straight titles in 2007-2011, but hadn’t won since.
“It’s something that we have been looking forward to for a long time,” Hopkinton head coach Rob Rothe said. “It’s something we’ve been building up to. We’ve had strong runners. We’ve been able to take them and keep making them better and have a strong distance team. It was nice to be able to spread them out (across events) and work with more field (event) people.”
The Hawks kicked things off with its familiar group of strong distance runners – sophomore Hannah Bennett, senior Cate Westbrook, and juniors Cailey Stockwell and Anna O’Reilly – claiming the 4×800 victory in 10 minutes, 24 seconds, besting Kearsarge’s runner-up squad of freshmen Molly Ellison and Amelia Lefebvre, and sophomores Kylin Frenkiewich and Madelin Prak, by 35 seconds.
Hall also produced an unexpected win in the long jump, where her leap of 15 feet, 9 inches was a personal best. Hall’s title in the triple jump (33-9.5) was less surprising since she entered the meet as the event’s top seed, but the rookie outperformed her fourth seed in the long jump.
“That was definitely a surprise,” Hall said of her long jump performance. “I didn’t have too many expectations for myself, but as a team we knew we could pull it off. Going into it wasn’t too too stressful.”
The Hawks also had points in the field events from sophomore Elise Miner (fourth) and junior Jessie Carney (fifth) in the javelin.
“That’s something we’ve never had, are points coming from those field events,” Rothe said. “When we looked at the rankings, we knew we were up there as far as one of the top three teams, but there’s a lot of events and a lot of things going on. We sat down yesterday and had a good talk and said ‘this is your time to shine. This is your year to do it.’ And they gave it their all and then some. It was beyond expectations.”
While on paper the Hawks had the points to win, accomplishing that, with a relatively small group of girls and relying mostly on distance runners in a shorter meet with less recovery time, is another matter.
After running the first leg of the 4×800, Bennett was able to turn in a second-place finish in the 1,600 meters (5:22) and finish fourth in the 3,200 (12:02). Stockwell finished fourth in the 400 (1:03.3) and O’Reilly was fourth in the 800 (2:26) to score additional points, while joining Westbrook and freshman Charlotte Presti on the fourth-place 4×400 relay.
“Hannah (Bennett) was the one we spread the thinnest,” Rothe said. “She definitely took the lead as far as the meters today. We didn’t want to spread people too thin. We didn’t want to double up (on individual events too much) and that worked to our advantage.”
Having enough time to recover in this new championship format of only one gender competing at a time (girls and boys championships usually run together creating more time between events) was initially a concern, but “Recovery time was definitely ideal,” according to Bennett. “I still had an hour and a half between events. Also, I knew that my coach would put me in events that I would be able to do well in. I was really excited about (how I did). I was worried that I wasn’t going to have time to recover and perform the way I wanted to for my team.”
The schedule the track committee decided upon had events set for specific start times, as opposed to a rolling schedule, that helped maintain some additional time between events.
In addition to Bennett, Hall also had an especially busy day, qualifying the 100 finals and finishing fourth in the 13.69 seconds. She also ran the first leg of the fourth-place 4×100 relay with freshman Isabelle Brown, Miner and Presti.
“It was a group effort,” Rothe said. “Besides Grace getting those two wins and the 4×800, it was each girl scoring for us at some point (that led to the win). Just getting in that top (six) group was so important. We have 15 girls on the team and 11 went to states. Being able to field all three relays was very important.”
The only other teams in the division that had all three relays qualify for the state meet were Newfound and Kearsarge.
Kearsarge – the defending champions from spring 2019 – was led by Lefebvre (second high jump at 5-0), senior Erin Wheeler (third shot put), junior Kate Cochran (third 100 hurdles, sixth 100), senior Lili Baer (fifth 1,600, sixth 3,200) and sophomore Kathy Decosta (fifth high jump).
The 4×400 relay of junior Ayla Frenkiewich, Kylin Frenkiewich, Baer and Ellison finished third, while Cochran, Decosta, freshman Rachel Holderman and Ayla Frenkiewich formed the fourth-place 4×100.
Bishop Brady finished 11th with 21 points, the best finish for the Giants since 2007, thanks to multiple scoring efforts from junior Katie Palmateer (second 3,200 in 11:49, third in 1,600 in 5:22) and senior Abby Shagena (fourth long jump, fifth 300 hurdles, sixth triple jump, seventh javelin).
The top three finishers in each event in D-III automatically qualify for the Meet of Champions on June 5, but the team championship trophy will remain in Hopkinton for now – and has the potential to stay there for a few years to come.
Westbrook is the only senior amongst the Hawks who competed at the state meet, and the addition of assistant coach George Sabol and his wealth of experience and knowledge in the field events from coaching Granite State and Hershey Track in town, will continue to help Hopkinton expand its competitiveness in those events. Rothe also credited the Merrimack Valley track coaches for allowing the Hawks to use its track facilities that Hopkinton doesn’t have.
“We’re all really excited,” said Westbrook, who ran the second leg of the the 4×400 and 4×800. “Since I’ve been a freshman, we’ve come so far as a team. We really drove home that Hopkinton legacy we’ve been working on for the past few years. I love Hopkinton. I’m really excited to see what they can do in years to come.”
Concord 8, Merrimack 7
Key players: Concord — Zan Alberici (9 faceoff wins), Colby Bettens (12 saves), Sam Nichol (4 goals, 2 assists), Joey Tarbell (goal, 2 assists), Nate Doherty (2 goals), Eaton Tarbell (2 assists)
Highlights: The Crimson Tide trailed by two goals after the first quarter and was still down one, 5-4, at halftime. But Nichols scored two unassisted goals in the third quarter to tie things at 6-6, and then he scored the game-winner in the fourth, assisted by Joey Tarbell, for the road win.
Records: Concord 6-9; Merrimack 4-11
Pembroke Academy 7, Merrimack Valley 4
Key players: Pembroke Academy — Jack Schaeffer (3 goals, 3 assists), Gavin O’Brien (2 goals, assist), Hyden Godin (2 goals, assist, 6 GB), Mike Perkins (7 GB), Adam Omundson (9 saves on 16 shots), Jack Harkness (10/14 FO)
Highlights: This low-scoring affair was all tied up 2-2 after the first quarter. PA’s defense allowed just one goal over the next two quarters and the Spartans had a 7-3 lead by the end of the third quarter.
Coach’s quote: “MV and PA have such a great rivalry that every game is special. We’re definitely competing for bragging rights. We’ve been fortunate to win three close games this season. We have one left against each other and we know MV will bring their A game.” — Pembroke’s Matt Dion
Records: Pembroke Academy 9-1; Merrimack Valley 3-8
Hopkinton 17, Bishop Brady 8
Key players: Hopkinton — Sam Brown (5 goals, 3 assists, 7 GB, 4 caused turnovers), Ryan Brown (4 goals, 3 assists, 7 GB), Aidan Burns (2 goals, 2 assists, 5 GB, 5/8 FO), Hayden Lynch (2 goals, assist), Spencer Burdette (2 goals, assist), Steven Newton-Delgado (great defense, 9 GB, 5 caused turnovers, 3/4 FO), Vince Waddell (great defense, 4 GB, 2 caused turnovers), Steven Reddy (great defense, 5 GB)
Highlights: Hopkinton took an 8-2 lead after the first and made it 11-4 at half. Brady didn’t go quietly in the second half, scoring four goals and peppering the Hawks net with even more shots, but the Hopkinton defense did a good job of helping each other and clearing the ball.
Coach’s quote: “We moved the ball well on offense and found open players, with all but one goal being assisted. Our defense pressured well and forced a lot of turnovers. Our younger players stepped up in the second half and controlled the ball well while creating scoring opportunities and dropping back to play defense.” — Hopkinton’s Deacon Blue
Records: Hopkinton 7-4; Bishop Brady 3-8
Pembroke Academy 18, Merrimack Valley 6
Key players: Pembroke — Cierra Hill (9 goals); Merrimack Valley — Caitlyn Fortier (4 draw controls, 2 goals, 3 caused turnovers), Alexa Prewitt (goal, 2 draw controls), Emily Koufos (goal, assist), Kaylee Magoon (2 goals, 3 draw controls), Kylie Golden, Kendelye Prive
Highlights: After a relatively close first half in terms of energy and competition, PA pulled away in the second half.
Coach’s quote: “Proud of MVHS girls lacrosse for overcoming some adversity today during the game. Sportsmanship, respect and good play are our priorities.” — MV’s Katherine Bucklin Stearns
Records: Pembroke 7-4; Merrimack Valley 5-5
Kearsarge 15, John Stark 4
Key players: Kearsarge — Libby Angus (4 goals, 4 assists), Megan Norris (5 goals, 3 assists), Ellie Camp (3 goals, assist), Caroline Camp (2 goals), Abby Nadeau (goal)
Records: Kearsarge 4-5; John Stark 1-9
Bishop Brady 6, Hopkinton 5, 9 inn.
Key players: Bishop Brady — Connor Treybi (4.2 IP, W, 10 K, 0 ER; 2 RBI, HR), Jake Blake (2 hits, game-winning RBI single), Bradyn Mundy (2 IP, 0 ER); Hopkinton – Peyton Marshall (2 hits, run), Jack Morrall (hit, 2 RBI), Both Logan Briand and Colby Boissy pitched well combining 5.1 innings of 1 hit 2 BB baseball.
Highlights: The regulation seven innings went back-and-forth until the end, when Hopkinton scored in the top of the seventh to make it 5-5 and force extras. Brady loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth and won on Blake’s walk-off single up the middle.
Coach’s quote: “It was a great high school baseball game. We have developed a great Division III rivalry in baseball with Hopkinton. They have a very good team and they always play us tough. It was good to finally win a close game at home.” — Brady’s Skip Foy
“Pretty good high school baseball game, both teams competed down to the last pitch. Someone had to win and Brady did a great job of taking advantage of a few Hawk errors. Looking forward to playing again on Thursday.” — Hopkinton’s David Chase
Records: Bishop Brady 7-3; Hopkinton 7-4
Coe-Brown 3, Merrimack Valley 0
Key players: Coe Brown — Madison DeCota (7 IP, W, 3 H, 0 R, 7 K), Ava Fitzgerald (1-for-3, 2 RBI); Merrimack Valley – Sadie Barton (7 IP, L, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 K; 1-for-3), Livie Lacasse (1-for-2), Emily Kelly (put out, throw out at the plate)
Coach’s quote: “The girls played a tight game on defense and took advantage of a couple bobbles from MV. Overall great softball game.” — Coe-Brown’s Dave Allis
“Sadie pitched a great game.” — Kevin O’Brien
Records: Coe Brown 11-3; Merrimack Valley 7-4
Concord pitchers MaKenzie Tourdoff and Alison Dupuis combined for the win as the Tide JV softball team beat Keene, 15-7. Lily Hackett (two runs, hit, RBI), Lily Kazanowski (two runs, hit, RBI) and Sarah Jenness (two runs, two hits, two RBI) led the offense. Grace Smith anchored the defense with a couple key catches in the outfield.
■ Peyton Yearout (two hits, two RBI), Kal Gaudreault (two hits), Hunter Colbath (two hits, RBI) and Dylan DelloIacono (double, RBI) all good days at the plate, but the Concord JV baseball team (8-8) lost to Keene, 9-8.
Griffey Norwalt had four hits, including two triples, as the Concord Reserve baseball team beat Londonderry, 17-6. Mitchell Coffey had two hits, including a home run, and four RBI, and pitched five innings for the Tide. Nick Reynolds (home run, two RBI), Noah Cascio (double, RBI), Matt Jenness, Joey Mangone, Brett McDonough, Josh Turant and David Wick all contributed to Concord’s offense, while Jackson Duffy had three put outs to help the defense.
Marcella Guadagno and Amelia Bockius each scored three runs, Thea O’Rourke had two big hits and Kinley St Cyr played great defense as the Hopkinton Middle School softball team won in Sunapee.
Connor Tasker had a triple and Rowan Arndt scored two runs to help Rowley Agency to an 11-10 win over Concord Police Patrolmen’s Association in Babe Ruth action. Theo Schneible had three hits for CPPA while Brady Peterson and Trent Urbon had two hits each.
■ Concord Little League’s Associated Grocers improved to 6-2 with a win against Service Credit Union. Adam Morgan (four innings, three runs) pitched well for Grocers, which got a single and two RBI from Sam Sackman and an RBI single from Patrick Fennessy. For Service Credit, Leo MacBride hit well and Ramon Reynolds pitched well.
■ Tyler Mayo pitched a complete-game 1-hitter to lead Banks Chevrolet to a 3-2 win over Hopkinton Convenient MD in Concord Northeast majors action. For Hopkinton, Aiden Clay had the only hit and Michael Dipiano pitched well, giving up three runs on four hits. For Banks, Wyatt Rockwell had two RBI and Alex Turant had a hit and played well defensively