The Waltham Track Club's Youth Track and Field Team had another record-breaking competition at the Region 1 Junior Olympic Championships this past weekend at Fitchburg State College.
The Regionals serve as the national qualifier for clubs from all of New England, New York and Upper New Jersey. The top three in each event qualify for the National Championships in Greensboro, N.C. July 28-Aug. 2.
Waltham had a record 29 athletes qualify for the Nationals, finishing in the top three in a record 39 events, including 13 first places, which was also a team record.
The Club had a record 60 top-six finishes, along with 31 personal records. Another team highlight was the balance achieved by both the girls team and boys team, as the girls had 19 overall scorers and the boys 16. In the past, the Club's girls team has always been the dominating force.
Top individual performances were achieved by Carla Forbes, who was a double-winner in the 13- and 14-year-old long jump (personal record 17 feet, 8 inches) and triple jump (36-6); Emma Fitzgerald, who was first in the 11-12 javelin (personal record 124-4) and second in the long jump (PR 14-8) and pentathlon (2,044 points); Jaynah Jimenez, who was first in the 11-12 long jump (15-6); and T.J. Noonan, who was first in the 13-14 boys javelin (144-0).
Each of these athletes will be legitimate threats to score at the
Nationals.
``I was ecstatic last year at the Regionals when we qualified 21 for Nationals, had 40 top-six finishers and 10 first places,'' stated Club coach Joe Tranchita. ``Last year was totally expected. This year, we went in with specific goals and expectations. Meeting those goals and improving on last year's record is an achievement that all of our kids should be proud of.
``They really embraced the challenge of the competition and continued to take advantage of the opportunities that these upper-level Junior Olympic meets offer them.''
The Club's Nationals qualifiers include:
In the 15-16 girls, Amy Ren (first in triple jump), Ivy Watts (second in 400), Emily Hutchinson (second in high jump, third in javelin), Ellen Goldberg (third in discus, third in 400), Kayla Wong (third in 100-meter hurdles).
In the 13-14 girls, Forbes (first in triple jump and long jump), Courtney Greene (first in the 3,000 race walk), Kaitlin McCauley (PR third in the 3,000), Marisa Diamond (third in javelin).
In the 11-12 girls, Fitzgerald (first in the javelin, second in the long jump, pentathlon), Jimenez (first in the long jump), Elena Chiulli (third in the 800 in PR 2:36), Maddie Jacks (third in the javelin).
In the 8-10 girls, Veronica Caruso (second in the javelin), Katie Cronin (third in the javelin), Jackie Fitzgerald (third in the 1,500 race/walk).
In the 15-16 boys, Felix Chung (second in the 1,500).
In the 13-14 boys, Noonan (first in javelin), Hugh O'Neil (first in the 3,000 race/walk), John Henry Fitzgerald (second in the 3,000 race/walk), Luke Halberstadt (second in the pentathlon).
In the 11-12 boys, Thomas O'Donoghue (first in the high jump, second in the pentathlon), Paul Halberstadt (first in the javelin and pentathlon), Joey McCauley (first in the 1,500 race/walk).
In the 8-10 boys, Daniel O'Donoghue (first in the 1,500 race/walk), Jacob Jampel (second in the 1,500), Michael O'Donoghue (third in the 1,500, javelin), Tommy O'Neil (third in the long jump) and Nathan Halberstadt (third in the 800).
Other top-six finishers included: Talia Frazier (13-14 girls, 3,000), Ava Madden (8-10 girls, javelin), Chloe Taylor (8-10 girls, 1,500), Tom Delillo (8-10 boys, javelin) and Nicholas Meconiates (8-10 boys, javelin).
The Club hopes to be able to send at least 12 of its qualifiers to the national meet.
Anyone wishing to help with the Club's fundraising for the national trip may send donations to: Waltham Track Club, 88 Russell St., Waltham, MA 02453.
