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Pentucket's Poretta on pace for memorable season

Tuesday, February, 09 By Michael Muldoon
Staff writer

 
 ROXBURY — With all she’s accomplished, Alanna Poretta’s win in the Cape Ann League Meet mile last night probably will be an afterthought.
Certainly, it doesn’t measure up to the full tuition scholarship to Boston College, the school records, the Division 2 state cross country title or the Eagle-Tribune MVP honors in cross country.
Nonetheless, it was an important step in the process. She ran a 5:09.30 and a mere 10 minutes later ran a 2:22 leg to lead the Sachems to a second-place in the 4x800.
“I just ran Saturday,’’ said Poretta, referring to a 5:07.95 at the Boston Reebok Indoor Games. “The goal is to do well at All-States. I’m not peaking yet.’’
 This fall, Poretta proved she knows when to peak with her stunning win at Division 2 All-States.
 “The goal is to get faster,’’ she said.
 And she’s already plenty fast. Her 4:57.83 at All-States last spring moved her to fourth all-time in the area.
 “I’m healthy and I’m gearing up for the end of the season,’’ said Poretta, who was named CAL Large co-MVP with Wisconsin recruit Deanna Latham of Triton. “In my track workouts, I’m hitting all my splits. I think I’ll be surprised at how fast I am able to go.’’
 Senior slide can hit in the classroom and the athletics fields, but the Groveland resident says that won’t happen with her.
 “I’ve worked way too hard to get distracted,’’ she said, noting she’ll ease up in the summer. “Now I have to keep my eye on the prize. I wouldn’t count out a state title. The first goal is to break five minutes, I’m in shape for it.’’
 Sachems coach Steve Derro knows he’s blessed to have such a talented athlete, but he’s quick to note she’s more than just a talented scholar (she was also being recruited by Penn and Dartmouth) and runner.
 “To show you what a team person she is,’’ he began, “she gave up the mile all season to run the 1,000 and anchor the 4x400. We wouldn’t have been 9-1 otherwise. She had absolutely no problem doing that.”

 Perryman, McManus lead Knights
 Krista Perryman (second in 55 meters) and Dana McManus (fourth in 300) placed in individual events and helped North Andover win the 4x200.
 Candace Waldie repeated as the shot put champion.
 It wasn’t enough though as Hamilton-Wenham knocked off the regular-season champion Scarlet Knights, 70.5-61, at the CAL Open.
 “I had it figured out on paper to a tie,’’ said Knights coach Rick Dellechiaie, whose squad won the CAL Open title last winter. “It was coming down to who had the better night. It was a coin toss. They had a better night. They were 8-2, losing to Pentucket and us. But they match up better in the bigger meet scenario.’’