On Wednesday, Indoor Track & Field’s Juniors and Lowers competed at the 9/10 Showcase Meet, racing lowerclassmen athletes from Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter), Governor’s, Wilbraham and Monson, and Marianapolis Preparatory School. The event was held at Exeter’s six-lane indoor track facility. Total points across Indoor Track & Field’s Boys and Girls teams placed it second, behind Exeter. Though Andover ultimately fell short, it yielded multiple event-specific victories, national-qualifying performances, and personal successes.
Ela Budzinski ’28 complimented the strong efforts of the distance runners in the meet, highlighting the efforts of Charlie Gillick ’27 and Tayla Stempson ’27 in their mile races. Gillick won his race in 4:40.43; Stempson placed second in 5:58.11.
“Tayla Stempson broke six minutes in the mile for the first time and that’s a really big milestone [and] Charlie Gillick, who ran the mile [as well,] had a really good race. He ran it very strategically and it was a really well-planned race that he executed it very well,” said Budzinski.
New Balance Indoor Nationals, which is held on March 13-16 in Boston is among the world’s highest-regarded high school track competitions and requires athletes to meet benchmark times in order to attend. At the 9/10 Showcase, Andover’s Girls 4×200-Meter relay team, composed of Jenna Robertson-Palmer ’27, Caitlin Ly ’27, Julie Chan ’27, and Budzinski, finished their race in 1:47.94, just under the 1:48.00 qualifying mark. Robertson-Palmer explained the work behind her relay team’s success, which included hand-off practice.
“The most memorable run was our Girls 4×200-Meter relay. We qualified for nationals and that was a huge goal of ours. We have also been working on our hand offs and everyone executed it really well,” said Robertson-Palmer.
Ly elaborated on her Girls 4×200-Meter relay team and reflected on the high energy and relaxation her teammates brought to the 9/10 meet.
“One thing we were focusing on, especially for our 4×200-Meter, was getting the school record. Although we fell a bit short, I think something important to note is that we should remember we run because it’s fun, and it’s not always about the times. So, it was a good reminder that we should take a step back and just stay loose. Also, something important was being very supportive and high-energy, like we usually are in our meets. And especially since this was just Juniors and Lowers, and our team was a bit smaller, I think it was very important to keep the energy up, and I think we did a really great job with that,” said Ly.
The mixed-gender 4×400-Meter relay team initially won their race, beating Exeter by a tight margin. Upon a faulty relay pass, it was disqualified. Budzinski, a member of the team among Ethan Ly ’27, Robertson-Palmer, and Ethan Brown ’27, elaborated the team’s efforts, mentioning Brown’s exciting performance.
Budzinski said, “Ethan Brown [stood out] in the mixed 4×4 because he won against Exeter on the line and it was really exciting for the whole team.”
Caitlyn Ly commented on the hard-earned efforts of Budzinski in today’s meet. Budzinski’s run in the 300-Meter, Ly noted, broke a Junior class record and meet record.
“I definitely think Ela [stood out]. She had really good performances in the 4×200-Meter, 300-Meter, and 4×400-Meter mixed relay. She ran a great leg in [the 4×200-Meter] as well as in the 4×400-Meter where she chased down Exeter and came out with the lead which really helped the team. And then in her 300-Meter performance she got the class record and the meet record which is super impressive. Overall, she was very focused and determined throughout the whole meet, and I’m very proud of her,” said Ly.
Robertson-Palmer corroborated Budzinski’s performance, complimenting her work-ethic and determination throughout practices.
“An athlete that stood out to me is Ela Budzinski. She PR’ed in the 300-Meter and set the Junior class record as well as the meet record. She has been working really hard in practice and I am really proud and happy for her,” said Robertson-Palmer
Looking ahead, Indoor Track & Field will compete at NEPSTA All-Comers on Saturday, February 15 at home.
