RallyNorth.net

Sat, Apr 13, 2013 09:30 AM @ Haverhill

Team	Final
Andover	87
Central Catholic	45
at Haverhill	18
Methuen	16
Lawrence	10

Shorthanded Andover takes Haverhill Invitational

Saturday, April, 13 By David Willis
Staff writer

HAVERHILL — Not long before she stepped onto the track for the 4x100 relay, Andover senior Rachel Annino discovered the reputation of her opponent in the anchor leg, New England 55-meter indoor champion and New Hampshire legend Betsy Garnick of Bishop Guertin and Pelham.

“I had no idea how amazing she was,” said Annino. “Coach (Peter) Comeau said that she was the complete package. So I was pretty nervous. I just wanted to reach the finish line. It was all adrenaline.”

Taking the baton with a slight lead, Annino was able to hold off meet MVP Garnick to give Andover the victory in the 4x100 in 51.80 — the win that clinched the Ottaviani Invitational team title yesterday afternoon.

The Golden Warriors took the meet championship with 87 points, besting No. 2 Lowell (76), despite competing without a trio of Eagle-Tribune All-Stars, hurdler Courtney Comeau (lower back injury), jumper Catherine Haut (shin splints) and thrower Cassie Kobelski (vacation).

The Central Catholic boys placed second as a team (88 points), behind Reading (99) in a meet that came down to the final event, the  4x400 relay.

“It’s so excited that we finished it off and won the title,” said Annino, who also took second in the 100 dash. “We had a lot of injuries, and some of the people that were running were fighting through pain. It shows how deep a team we are as a team. The girls did great.”

The Warrior 4x100 entered the event shorthanded, with regulars Annino and Micaela Soucy joined by newcomers Michelle Gencorelli and Hannah Ameen, who were sent in to replace a pair of vacationing athletes.

“We were learning handoffs at the meet before the race,” said Annino. “So we weren’t sure what to expect. Once I got the baton I just wanted the race to be over. (Garnick) was so tough. But it was a real thrill.”

Andover’s other victory came from Hannah Chapman, who won the triple jump with a 35-10, while Sarah Rothmann was third in the mile (5:29.9).

“I’m very happy with the way this season has started,” said Chapman. “I didn’t PR (personal record), but I won which is great. And I helped the team get the title.”

Breakthrough day

Central Catholic senior David Veilleaux is thrilled with teammate Ryan Doherty’s Eagle-Tribune All-Star accomplishments. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t enjoy a victory.

“I’ve been doing this for four years and he picked it up right now and just clicked,” said with a chuckle. “I wanted to pick it up little.”

Veilleaux wowed even himself yesterday, taking second in the shot put with a 52-5 1/2, a personal best by an outstanding three feet.

“I actually had a bad start,” he said. “I only threw 45 feet and barely made the finals. Then I just killed it in the finals. It all clicked somehow.”

No one was more excited than Raiders coach Mike Leal.

“This was a real breakthrough performance for him,” said Leal. “You very rarely see someone PR this early in the season. It gives us big expectations for the rest of the season.”

Everything but drive the bus

When Central Catholic coaches say Alex Dehullu does it all, they don’t just mean because he was an Eagle-Tribune All-Star decathlete.

“I’m actually bringing the pole vaulting equipment back to the school in my truck,” he said. “I have a big (Chevy) Avalanche. They’ll help me, but I’ll be doing a lot.”

Dehullu, of course, did more than just transport equipment. He won the 400 hurdles in 57.20.

Stars shines

Garnick’s Cardinals may have fallen short in the 4x100, but the superstar from Pelham again starred by winning meet MVP honors by winning the 100 hurdles (15.0) and long jump 17-3.

“This was a good day considering it’s the first meet of the season,” she said. “It’s always good to get a win. It’s huge to get off to a good start like this.”

Fellow New Hampshire star Hannah Kimball of Timberlane added a win of her own, taking the 400 in 1:00.0, edging teammate . Danielle Gajewski (1:00.6).

“It’s a really friendly rivalry,” said Kimball. “We are good friends, but we definitely both want to beat the other and win.”

Back and a winner

It’s been a long road back for Andover senior and defending Eagle-Tribune All-Star Mark Zavrl, who tore his ACL during the football season.

But despite very muddy conditions, the senior won the javelin with a 167-0.

““It’s really good to be back in real competition,” he said. “This was not good weather for the jav, and the turf made it hard to get footing. Plus there were geese out there, so I tried to hit them ... just kidding.  I worked on my speed and got some good throws.”