BHS Track Teams Earned Personal Bests, School Records
The boys’ outdoor track team has benefitted by the personal records of, from left, Jack Taylor, Jason Greenberg, Mason Jacques, and Donavan Turner.
By KEN HAMWEY,
Bulletin Sports Writer
The Bellingham High boys’ and girls’ track teams finished their Tri Valley League seasons in similar fashion. They both had 1-4 records, and their only triumphs came against Millis. Both squads ended their seasons in fifth place in the six-team TVL Small Division.
Coach Peter Lacasse directed both teams and his goals at the start of the season were for the boys to win three meets and the girls to win two.
“The boys and I felt three wins were realistic, but at some point, we could see where our shortcomings were,’’ Lacasse said. “We didn’t fall short because of a lack of effort. We lacked depth, weren’t strong enough in the middle-distance events, and some key injuries prevented us from fulfilling our objective.
Turning in outstanding efforts for Bellingham High’s outdoor girls’ track team are, from left, Alyssa Rancourt, Olivia Carney, Calleigh Elder, and Nina Ames.
“On the girls’ side, we had a young squad that lacked experience and depth. The girls, however, worked hard and gave great effort. The team numbered 30 and that’s a smaller amount than the 51 we had out for the boys. A smaller group tends to hurt a team’s depth.’’
Lacasse, nevertheless, envisions a brighter future for both teams.
“For the boys, we have good young talent coming up in the sprints and throwing events,’’ he said. “We’ll lose some top-notch seniors, but we’ll continue to work to develop middle-distance runners. For the girls, our eighth and ninth graders need to gain more experience and get stronger, and we also need to develop more middle-distance runners. There’s young talent, but continued improvement is a must.’’
Lacasse has coached track for 28 years and knows that wins and losses matter. But he’s also acutely aware that success can be measured by individuals achieving personal bests and setting school records.
Following is a list of six boys and five girls who not only compiled individual bests, but also set school records. And all 11 will be competing at the MIAA’s Division 5 Meet at Bridgewater State on May 24 and May 26 after the Bulletin’s deadline.
BOYS
*Donovan Turner — (senior captain, shot put and discus). Personal bests include 43 feet, 7 inches in the shot put and 130 feet, 6 inches in the discus. The Blackhawks’ No. 1 scorer with 46 points, he competed in the Division 5 Discus Relay and BHS finished fifth. The team set a school record of 323 feet, 1 inch. “Donovan is super coachable, works hard on technique and is technically sound,’’ Lacasse said.
*Erik Ormberg — (senior captain, 400, 800, 4x400 relay). Personal bests include 55.6 seconds in the 400 and 349.2 seconds in the 4x400 relay. “Erik runs the anchor leg of the relay,’’ Lacasse said. “He’s a good leader, is organized and communicates well. He’s got speed but he’s had to work through injuries.’’
*Mason Jacques — (junior, 100, 200, javelin, 4x100 relay). Personal bests include 23.9 seconds in the 200, 11.2 seconds in the 100, and 128 feet, 4 inches in the javelin. “Mason was our No. 2 scorer with 42.25 points,’’ Lacasse said. “A very intense competitor, he’s one of the top 10 boys I’ve coached in terms of intensity. He’s got good speed, is focused, and always aims to excel.’’
*Jason Greenberg — (sophomore, 100, 200, 4x100 relay). Personal best includes 23.25 seconds in the 200. “Jason runs the third leg of the relay,’’ Lacasse said. “He’s strong, has lots of speed and runs effectively on the turns.’’
*Haroun Mafhoum — (junior, 400, 800, 4x400 relay). Personal best includes 2.08.7 in the 800. “Haroun runs the lead leg of the relay,’’ Lacasse said. “He’s in his first year of outdoor track, he fits in well, has speed and is a tough competitor.’’
*Jack Taylor (junior, mile, 4x400 relay). Personal best includes 4.58.02 in the mile. “Jack runs the second leg of the relay,’’ Lacasse said. “He was injured last year but is a hard worker who enjoys competing.’’
GIRLS
*Nina Ames — (senior captain, 100 and 400 hurdles, long jump, triple jump). Set school record of 73.85 seconds in the 400 hurdles against Dover-Sherborn. Her personal bests include 15 feet, 7.5 inches in the long jump and 31 feet, 9 inches in the triple jump. “Nina ran indoor track for five years but chose outdoor track over lacrosse this spring,’’ Lacasse said. “She’s the valedictorian of her class. She’s determined and smart, very coachable, has a consistent stride pattern and can hold her speed.’’
*Olivia Carney — (junior, 100, 200, 4x100). Set school records of 12.2 seconds in the 100 against Dedham and 25.3 seconds in the 200 against Medway. “Olivia runs the anchor leg of the relay, is super-fast, very powerful and has a good turnover rate,’’ Lacasse said.
*Calleigh Elder — (junior, 100, 200, javelin, 4x100 relay). Personal best of 27.7 seconds in the 200 and she had season bests of 13.4 seconds in the 100 and 89 feet, 9 inches in the javelin. “Calleigh runs the lead leg for the relay team,’’ Lacasse said. “She’s strong-willed, tough internally and a good teammate.’’
*Alyssa Rancourt — (8th grader, 100, 200, high jump, 4x100 relay). Personal bests include 4 feet, 6 inches in the high jump and 13.6 seconds in the 100. “Alyssa runs the second leg of the relay’’ Lacasse said. “She’s very talented but because she’s so young, she needs to improve her techniques. Improvement will occur when she gains experience.’’
*Jenna Dormandy — (freshman, 400, 800). Personal bests include 2.41.07 in the 800 and 67.4 seconds in the 400. “Jenna is quiet, works hard and accepts all challenges,’’ Lacasse said.
