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Mayhew, Garnick shine at New Englands

After a year of rewriting the Haverhill High track record books, Alex Mayhew added another huge performance to his amazing senior season, taking fourth in the 200 at the New England track meet at New Britian, Conn,, yesterday.

“What a finish to a great year,” said Hillies coach Mike Maguire. “You look at his legacy, a guy that set four school records this year, and the expectations can be a weight on your shoulders. But he has made the most of every opportunity.”

Mayhew placed fourth in 22.13, slightly off his school-record time of 21.71 he ran a week ago to take second at All-States.

“There were no trials, so that messed me up a little,” said Mayhew, who is headed to Northern Essex Community College. “But placing fourth is still very good. I can’t wait for (New Balance outdoor Nationals) next week.”

Also this spring, Mayhew set the Haverhill High record in the 100 (10.95 at MVC meet) and long jump after setting the 55-meter mark in the winter.

“He just kept raising the bar for himself,” said Maguire. “We are so proud of the work that he has done and all he accomplished. And he’s planning to go down to North Carolina next week.”

Garnick delivers again

Pelham resident and Bishop Guertin star Betsy Garnick was her dominant self yesterday, winning the 100 hurdles in 14.20.

That time, in fact, was better than her state-record 14.23 that she ran last week at New Hampshire Meet of Champions.

Garnick took second in the event at New Englands a season ago after placing 10th as a sophomore, an event she has taken first in New Hampshire Division 1 and Meet of Champions each of the last three seasons. The area record for a local school is Becca Parascandola of Londonderry (14.48) in 2010.

Sister act

When Central Catholic’s Madison Arndt set the school record in the pole vault yesterday, the only person happier than Madison was her sister Mackenzie Arndt.

Also known as the previous record holder.

“Mackenzie was just as excited as her sister,” said Raider track coach Katie Andrade. “Madison had a great day.”

Arndt vaulted 11-3 yesterday, good for sixth overall and second best in area history, behind just Lindsey Patterson of Timberlane (12-5 in 2009). She jumped 11-0 to take third at All-States last week.

Mackenzie, who vaulted 11-1 in 2010, was there to coach her.

“Madison was 15th at New Englands last season so this is a huge jump,” said Andrade. “She walked away a very happy camper.”

Odds and ends

Andover’s Mark Zavrl continued his stellar senior year by placing fifth overall in the javelin with a throw of 178-2. ...

Record-setting Methuen distance king Mike O’Donnell opted not to compete this week to prepare for New Balance Nationals next week. ....

Londonderry’s Starlin Ortiz leaped 6-3 in the high jump to place sixth. It was just off this season’s area-best 6-4 owned by Ortiz and North Reading’s John Braga.