In a tri-meet disrupted by busing mishaps and steady rain, the Newton South girls track team left Westford Academy trailing Lincoln-Sudbury 79-56 and leading the hosts 86-50 with the pole vault yet to be contested.
Sophomore Bridget Dahlberg won the 800 against both teams, running a state-qualifying 2:18.9 and now leads the state in the mile and 2-mile and has the second fastest time in the 800. Classmate Kelsey Karys also placed first against both teams in the 2-mile, clocking an 11:55.18, while Nalis Mbianba also pulled a double in the javelin (110-0), beating the defending DCL champ. The 4x400 relay of Diana Braver, Julia Frieze, Juliet Ryan-Davis, and Dahlberg won in a time of 4:15.2. Candace Bailey also beat both teams in the 100 (SQ 12.9).
The 4x100 of Pebbles Banks, Azeezah Gray, Katherine Sandson and Bailey placed second to L-S and beat Westford, posting a 52.2. In the high jump, Kathryn Ellis finished second against both teams (4-8), while Braver took second against both teams in the 400 (SQ 62.8) and a double third in the high jump (4-8). Elisabeth Jeyaraj finished first against Westford and second against L-S on the shot put (31-5).
In the 800, Ryan-Davis was second against Westford and third vs. L-S (SQ 2:26.90) and Pebbles Banks was second against both in her first time running the 200 (SQ 27.6). Elizabeth Ellis was third against both in the 200 (28.0). Freshman Melanie Fineman ran a personal record and state-qualifying 11:54.5 to place second vs. both teams, while Emma Rudie was third against Westford and fourth against L-S (SQ 11:59.5). In placing third against both teams, Sandson set a PR in the 100 (13.5), while freshman Mary Kate Cronin also PR'd in the 100 hurdles (18.5).
Emily Epstein finished third against L-S in the 300 hurdles (PR 56.0) and freshman Maddie Reed was first against Westford and placed second to All-State 100 champ Molly Binder of L-S in the mile (5:26.8).
The Lions also had three girls run sub-12:00 times yesterday and five on the season to match a school record. South runs again at the Division 1 State Relays Saturday At Andover High (9:30 a.m.).
Softball
Weston 6, Newton South 3
A five-run bottom of the sixth inning lifted the Weston softball team to a 6-3 victory over visiting Newton South at Weston High.
The Lions, who had only three hits, had a 3-1 lead heading into the sixth before things went awry.
Danni Bucaccio pitched a six-hitter for the Lions (1-4).
