Jackson, Paul Pace Stoughton High Track at Division 2 Championships

As has been the case for most of this spring outdoor track season, Steffan Jackson led the boys’ track team and Jade Paul paced the Stoughton High girls’ track team—this time at the MIAA Eastern Massachusetts Division 2 Outdoor Track & Field Championships. 

The Division 2 championships took place at Bridgewater State University last Saturday.  

Jackson recorded a personal best in the high jump (6’2”), qualifying him for the June 4 All-State meet, also at BSU. Paul won the 800-meter race on the girls’ side with a time of 2:17.3. She too qualifies for the June 4 All-State meet. 

Jackson also finished seventh in the 110-meter high hurdles with a time of 16.11 seconds.  

Also competing for the boys—Jordan Ricci, who set a personal record in the 400-meter hurdles (60.44 seconds); Brandon Alves in the shot put  (42’, 3.5”); Marlon Crome in the triple jump (40’); and Aaron Mack, Marcus Middleton, Matt Mack and Andrew Valle in the 4 x 100-meter relay.  

One noticeable absence for the Black Knights—champion hurdler Greg Boursiquot, who has been nursing a hamstring injury for much of the season. 

“He tried to practice [last] week and wanted to give it a go, but it was evident he has not healed yet,” coach Harvey Blonder said. “[It is] disappointing for Greg, myself and the many fans he had made from his past performances. He never begged out of a competition and I'm sure it was hard for him to stay on the sideline.”

In local road racing action, Nick Green finished first in a field of more than 400 at a 5K event in West Bridgewater on Memorial Day, completing the course in 16:54, a personal best.

On the girls’ side at the Division 2 championships, in addition to Paul, Lauren Pinchieri and Mackenzie Hundson ran in the 400-meter hurdles event, with Hudson setting a new personal record at 70.01 seconds.

The 4 x 100-meter relay team of Janetha Reid, Sydnee Jackson, Adena Joseph and Ifeoma Okeke continued to improve upon their time, finishing in 53.29 seconds.

The 4 x 400-meter relay team of Pinchieri, Shaybre Davis, Julia Quattrucci and Paul placed fifth, finishing in 4:12.26.

In the field events, Chrystal Holland set a new personal record in the shot put with a throw of 33', 3.75"; Ariene Ohimor threw 29' 3.75" in the same event.

In the javelin, Julia Quattruccl turned in a throw of 96'3", while Haley Ellertson came in at 87'3".

On a hot and humid day, Deirdre Simms suffered from dehydration during the 2-mile run and collapsed during her fifth lap and had to be taken to the hospital.

Jackson and Paul both advance to the All-State meet on June 4 at BSU, giving both the boys’ and girls’ teams a representative at the state championship.