Andover Track’s final meet against Exeter was, as Captain Annie McDonough ’09 said, “the best way for the seniors to end their track careers at Andover.” The girls won by 40 points, a decisive and satisfying victory, but the boys only won by three points, keeping fans biting their nails until the end. The meet began with the throwing events, followed by the 4×100 relay and ended with the 4×400 relay. Andover’s girls took the first three places in every throwing and jumping event, a very rare occurrence even for such a dominant team. “Exeter had a few formidable competitors, such as Interschols champion Katrina Cougan in the 1500 and 800. Still, we won most events with our depth,” said McDonough. “I know that we took the top five places in the 100 hurdles, even though they only scored the top three. We also saw a number of PR’s and season bests on Saturday.” Orie Idah ’11 jumped over 35 feet, an impressive distance for the girls’ triple jump, and Malcolm Mason-Rodriguez ’11 jumped over 46 feet, almost breaking the school record. The girls’ 4×100 team barely edged out Exeter as Alexis Walker ’12 and Aniebiet Epka ’11 continued their 100/200 domination. Berol Dewdney ’09 won the 3000, and Catherine Coppinger ’09 took first in the 400, finishing an undefeated season in that event. McDonough said, “The Exeter meet was an amazing triple win – girls varsity, boys varsity and JV. It was, as the coaches say every year, a Saturday where we see ‘heroic’ performances and also have a lot of fun.” On Saturday the team became the most cohesive it has been all season, as every athlete put forth his or her best effort for one final throw, jump, or run, and cheered on every other athlete. The excited feeling behind the meet was most evident in the final two events, which had not been run at any other meet – the distance team 4×400 relay, and the throwers’ 4×100. The distance runners gave sprinting a try for a final lap around the track, as the entire team stood at the finish line to cheer them on. The throwers formed a team to each sprint a quarter of the lap. It was a close race between throwers from Andover and Exeter, but Andover managed to claim the victory. “This was a great finish to a great season,” said McDonough.
