The Jaffrey-Rindge Middle School track team is flourishing this year. 35 boys and girls practice 5 days a week, have attended numerous track meets, and have proven to be a hardy, dedicated, and talented group of 6th, 7th and 8th graders.
A number of star athletes have qualified to compete in the Meet of Champions (NH State meet) on June 6 in Milford. They are as follows:
ABBY DREW – Abby, an 8th grader, has qualified in two events. Her season-best long jump of 14 feet 10 inches, should put her near the top in the State. At a recent meet (with four other schools and 33 long jumpers,) Abby had the longest jump of both the girls and the boys. Abby’s 13.46 second time, for the 100 meter run, has also qualified her as one of the tops in the State.
OLIVIA CIARFELLA – As our only 7th grade qualifier, Olivia will join Abby in the long jump, after her season-best 13 foot 11 inch jump.
Abby and Olivia will be joined in Milford by BAILEY BREWER and SHEA WILKINS-FLECK, both 8th graders, to compete as a 4 by 100 meter relay race team. Bailey was undefeated in the 1600 meter run this year, and her name has been submitted for a possible acceptance in the Meet of Champions, in that event, also. Shea was a top thrower in both the shot put and discus, this season. This relay team should prove to be very competitive at the State-level.
GARRETT COURNOYER – As an 8th-grader, Garrett’s blistering 12.7 second 100 meter run has qualified him to compete in the Meet of Champions. While Garrett’s 200-meter time narrowly missed qualifying, his name has also been submitted to see if he can be accepted on an exception-basis.
SCOTT LABRECQUE – Scott, also an 8th grader, has qualified for the Meet of Champions in the long jump, with his 15-foot 8-inch leap. Scott narrowly missed the standard for the 100 meter hurdles, and he’s been added to that exception list.
RYDER BETTERTON – Another 8th grader, Ryder, has qualified in the 100 meter run, with his team-best 12.54 seconds. New to the area this year, Ryder has proven to be a versatile sprinter and jumper.
Garrett, Scott, and Ryder will be joined by fellow eighth grader, EVAN BENNETT, to compete in the 4 by 100 relay. This team should fare very well at the Meet of Champions, also.
The entire track and field team will come together for a final home “mini-meet” (vs. SMS) on June 8th at 3:30 p.m. at the Conant Athletic Field track, in Jaffrey.