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Jim Munn led his Gloucester boys track team to Newell Stadium for a routine middle of the season practice.

Although the practice may have seemed normal, there was actually nothing routine about it as the team could not practice on its own track. The pothole laced track that circles around the Newell Stadium football field has been condemned and cannot be used for either practices or meets for the boys and girls track squads.

The 27th annual Rotary Club NEC Freshman/Sophomore track meet was held on Saturday at Beverly High School. The meet involved over 200 student-athletes in ninth and 10th grade from Northeastern Conference high schools.

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.

If you take a look at the high school track career of Liam Anastasia-Murphy, it's easy to see why he is a Division 1 college prospect.

For starters, Gloucester's senior captain is the school's record holder in the 1,000-meter run with a time of 2:30.25. He also boasts the honor of Northeastern Conference Most Valuable Player in both cross country and indoor track this year. If that were not enough, he was the Class B state champion in both cross country and the 1,000-meter run this year, and was also a part of the All-State champion 4x800 relay team this winter with Austin Souza, Alex Trotsky and Andrew Ryan.

Last Year's Record: 9-0 (won Northeastern Conference)

Coach: Jim Munn (16th year)

Performers to Watch: Liam Anastasia-Murphy, Sr.;Austin Souza, Sr.; Mario Peritore, Sr.; Dan Aloisio, Sr.; John Ryan, Sr.; Luis Hernandez, Jr.; Christian Hernandez, So.; Gus Margiotta, So.; Anthony LaRocca, So.