BHS Girls Track Team Wins 1st TVL Championship

By KEN HAMWEY,

Bulletin Sports Writer

The Bellingham High girls’ outdoor track team went unbeaten during its dual-meet season and captured its first Tri Valley League Small Division championship in the program’s 46-year history.

The girls defeated Millis, Dover-Sherborn, Medfield, Medway and Norton. The 76-60 triumph over Norton clinched the title on the Lancers’ home track.

“The girls knew what was on the line, and they were intense against Norton,’’ said coach Peter LaCasse. “When it ended, there was joy, excitement and lots of happiness in a controlled way. We competed at a high level. I thought it would be a close meet, but the 16-point victory became a proud moment.’’

Bellingham High’s girls track captains are, from left, Emma Smith, Sydney Bashford, Olivia Carney, and Calleigh Elder.

The 63-year-old LaCasse, who coached girls’ and boys’ track and cross-country at Attleboro High for 18 years, has been the Blackhawks’ boys’ track coach for 13 years and is finishing up his third campaign as the girls’ outdoor coach. He was also Bellingham’s cross-country coach for 10 campaigns.

The veteran coach deflected all praise for the school’s most recent crown towards the girls. “I’m just an enabler,’’ he said. “The girls are the ones who worked hard to sharpen their skills and achieve this honor. They’re the ones who made this happen.’’

LaCasse knew his team had great potential, and he had hopes that a TVL title was possible. “I knew our talent was very good and that we were capable of winning more then we’d lose,’’ he said, “There was always a feeling that a league championship was possible.’’

The Blackhawks four senior captains — Olivia Carney, Calleigh Elder, Emma Smith, and Sydney Bashford — contributed to the team’s success in a variety of ways, and their leadership styles varied. Carney competed in the 100 and 200-meter runs; Elder ran the 100, a leg of the 4x100 relay and threw the javelin; Smith ran the 800, mile and two-mile; and Bashford ran the 100 hurdles and competed in the triple jump.

“Olivia holds the school record in the 100 and 200 and was unbeaten in the TVL meets,’’ LaCasse noted. “Our top scorer, she’s the best sprinter in the league. She’s got speed and power and runs with a powerful stride and a high track IQ. She’s a leader by example.’’

Olivia Carney

Elder is labeled as “a super competitor’’ by LaCasse. “Calleigh runs the leadoff leg of the 4x100 relay and went unbeaten in the league in the javelin,’’ he said. “Also a leader by example, she has the second fastest time in the 100 on our team and she works diligently to sharpen her technical skills.’’

A native of Attleboro, LaCasse admires Smith’s leadership style that’s supportive and Bashford’s communication skills. “Emma is very coachable, has good endurance and a passion for running,’’ he said. “Sydney also is passionate about track; she’s an excellent communicator and her attitude is always positive.’’

Four other key contributors who scored points and provided top-notch efforts are all underclassmen — junior Emanoela “Ella’’ Barreto and sophomores Caleigh Hayes, Emma Carroll, and Jenna Dormady. 

Barreto runs the 100, 400, and 100-meter hurdles and competes in the long jump; Hayes runs the 400, the 400 hurdles and competes in the high jump; Carroll’s events are the 100 and 200-meter runs, the triple jump, long jump, and the 4x100 relay; and Dormady runs the 400, 800, mile and two-mile. 

“Ella is tenacious, the ultimate competitor,’’ LaCasse offered. “Caleigh holds the school record in the 400-meter hurdles and was unbeaten in the league in the hurdles. Emma is new to track. She’s versatile and able to compete in five events. Jenna is quiet, determined and welcomes instruction.’’

The rest of the squad provides depth for LaCasse. “They not only give us depth, but they’re always ready when called upon,’’ he said.

The future for both the girls’ and boys’ outdoor track teams is positive. For this season, there were 54 boys on the roster and the girls numbered 40.

“I expect the good numbers to continue,’’ LaCasse emphasized. “Other programs are encouraging their athletes to compete in track to become faster, stronger and more agile.’’

The girls still had three post-season meets on tap before the official end of the 2025 season. The events, all of which were slated after The Bulletin’s deadline, include the divisional relays, the TVL meet and the state meet.

No matter how the girls fare in the post-season, the 40 who turned out for the team this season no doubt are glad they did. They made history as Bellingham High’s first girls’ outdoor track team to win a league championship.