RallyNorth.net

Yesterday, for perhaps the first time in his coaching career, Newburyport track coach Tim Foley may have been pulling for the opposing team.

Who wasn't?

The North Andover boys track team came to Fuller Field for its first meet since the death of 17-year-old co-captain Alex Farese nine days ago. Farese collapsed on the North Andover track April 14 and remained unconscious at Tuft Medical Center for a week before he was pronounced dead.

The Tigers fell to 1-7 on the season after a 94-51 setback against Triton despite a fine outing from sophomore Greg Krathwohl, who won the 2-mile (10:23) and 800 (2:12.5).

Chris Pinto captured the pole vault (11 feet), while Ipswich also won the 4x400 relay (3:55.7) behind Sam Thomas, Nick Philpot, Dan Tibbetts and Andy Vickery.

Chris Pendleton isn't exactly channeling Bob Beamon or Mike Powell, but something has gotten into him. On April 15, the Whittier Tech senior soared into the record books, sticking 22-10 1/4 in the long jump.

Unlike his friend, Drew Pickul will be able to compete again.

"I'm not quite sure how I'm going to deal with it," he said. "I have to figure it out when it comes."

Dan Castro stopped 12 shots and made the Generals' 6-1 halftime lead stand up with stellar play in the second half as the Generals topped Hanover 12-7. Hamilton-Wenham (6-3) won its fifth straight thanks to three goals apiece from Casey Colyer and Jay Allsopp. Chipping in a pair of goals were Ryan Gendreau and Jake Cotter as H-W was able to quell a late Hanover rally.

On an exceptionally beautiful day along the marsh at Triton High School, the track teams of Amesbury, Newburyport, Ipswich, Pentucket, and Triton gathered for the annual Triton Triple Classic for a special occasion to honor the man who first started the event back in the early 1970s.

Ben Dibble recorded wins in the low (45.0) and high (17.0) hurdles to lead the undefeated Witches (3-0) over Gloucester 72-64. Zach Gilbert won the shot put (42-11) and the discus (119) to round out the double winners while Matt Johnson won the triple (38-11) and Tyler Daniles took the javelin (139-2). Nick Sinclair (200, 23.9) and Melikke Van Alstyne (100, 11.0) won sprints and teamed with Eugene De La Cruz and Mike Nagrambe to take the 4x100 relay.

Senior captain Mike Berlangieri was a triple winner for the unbeaten Tanners (3-0), qualifying for states in the 100 meter hurdles (11.04), high jump (6 feet) and long jump (20 feet). Junior Dulu Gaye won a pair of events, taking the 300 hurdles (42.5) and 110 hurdles (15.9). Others taking first place finishes included Alex Gomes (2-mile, 9:54.00), Ramses Monteiro (mile, 4:50), Kevin Bettencourt (shot put, 44-10), Nour Shahin (discus, 140-7) and A.J. Grube (triple jump, 39<1/2>).

Timberlane trampled Manchester West 106-38. Cole Dresser won three events. Cam Lyle launched both the shot put and the discus for wins.

Lawrence's KB Oshodi has been one of Central Catholic's best and brightest track stars. And he has the Raider football program to thank for it.

"In my freshman year, the football coaches wanted to get us to do track," Oshodi explained. "They said it would be good to try and do a lot of different stuff. In the triple jump, in my first year, I was doing better than the varsity guys. I did well and I just continued to improve."