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Triton Vikings Girls Track and Field '08

Wed, May 07, 2008 03:30 PM @ Triton
Team Final
Masconomet 68
Triton 77

Triton claims CAL title with victory over powerhouse Masco

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Triton’s Devin Haddock is the picture of concentration as she sails over a hurdle on her way to placing first in the 100-meter hurdles during yesterday’s  showdown against Masconomet. » Bryan Eaton, Staff Photographer

Thursday, May, 08 By Dan Guttenplan
Sports editor

The Triton girls track team captured its first Cape Ann League title since 1999 yesterday without the services of Division 1 college scholarship recipient Keely Maguire.

The University of New Hampshire-bound senior from Georgetown will be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to compartment syndrome | or a lack of blood supply in the knees as a result of inflammation.

But it could be viewed as fitting that the Vikings claimed their first team CAL title without the services of the runner that has garnered the most individual honors in school history. The Vikings proved they are, in fact, a complete team as was evidenced by yesterday's 77-68 defeat of perennial CAL powerhouse Masconomet. It was also the first time since 1999 Triton beat Masconomet.

"This proves we're the best Triton girls team in the last 10 years," Triton coach Joe Colbert said. "I can't speak to the teams before that, but I'd have to say we have a chance to be the best ever. We're loaded. To be able to win without Keely is really saying something."

Particularly when you consider Masconomet swept each of Maguire's specialty events | the mile and 2-mile. But unlike in past years when Triton's depth could not hold up against Masconomet, the Vikings capitalized on second- and third-place finishes.

"We have girls capable of first-, second- and third-place finishes in every event," Triton thrower Nicki Wurdeman said. "That depth is key."

"I told the girls we've always had the stars," Colbert said. "We have Maguire, Wurdeman and (Michelle) Bashaw. But now we have a great team. We were able to overcome the loss of Maguire because of that. A lot of younger girls carried us."

The girls team's CAL title also sways the balance of power among genders at Triton. The boys track and field team entered the season with a 38-4 record over the last four seasons | three of which included CAL titles. The girls posted a 27-14 record during that stretch.

This season, the girls are 9-0 with one meet remaining against Pentucket Tuesday. The boys are 6-3.

"It's great to see the girls stepping it up and putting it out there," Triton senior Peter Rock said. "It's exciting."

The boys and girls teams do not focus on the inter-school competition, Wurdeman said.

"They've always done a great job, but this year the girls team shined," Wurdeman said. "We don't really think about that. We all do the best we can."

The Triton girls will be without the services of Maguire for the next four to six weeks following her surgery. Still, Colbert believes the team is capable of capturing a Class C title May 31. But first the Vikings will look to cap a perfect regular season with a CAL Open championship May 24.

"Our goal is to win the Cape Ann League championship meet and the state meet," Colbert said. "I think it's possible. When we heard Keely was done for the year, that was devastating news. But I can't say enough about our team's character. The girls rallied around it. To do what we're doing without her is special."

1 Story Comments

0         Parentof5

Congratualtions to the girls 4x1 relay for making a new school record time yesterday!

Report! #1 05/08/2008 12:39 PM