NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton girls indoor track team handed Longmeadow its first loss of the season, 56-39, and captured a share of the Pioneer North league title during the PVIAC early session, Friday at Smith College.
The Blue Devils (11-1, 4-1) place first overall in six events, while the Lancers (11-1, 4-1) placed first in two during the last meet of the regular season.
“Our goal was just bring it home for the team,” said senior Scarlet Sands Bliss. “We wanted to have a strong meet for everyone.”
Sands Bliss places first in the 600 meter (1 minutes, 43.80 seconds) and high jump (4 foot, 9 inches) for the third week in a row.
Senior Evelyn Burke beat her personal record in the 2-mile to take second place (11:37.48) followed by fellow classmate Jemma Fisher in third (12:16.83).
“I was really hoping to hit my personal record in the 2-mile, which I did, so I was really happy about that,” said Burke.
The Lancers finished second to the Blue Devils in the 600, 4×200 relay, high jump and long jump.
Hamp swept the top three places in the 1,000 with junior Anna Stiles (3:17.46) in first, senior Mairead Blatner (3:19.52) in second and freshman Mary Yount (3:21.91) in third.
Yount dominated in the mile, with 15.43 seconds between her and second place. Burke (5:44.29) finished third, Fisher (5:53.76) in fourth and sophomore Rosie Ingmann (5:54.in fifth.
Hazel Ethier (15-9½) won the long jump.
“We wanted to take this meet as a dry run for next week,” said Sands Bliss. “We’ve been preparing mentally and we’ve been working hard all week and we’re hoping it pays off next week.”
The Northampton boys beat Longmeadow 53-42 to clinch the league title as well.
Nik Smith (6.59) won the 55 dash with teammate Josiah Tudryn second in 6.95.
Ben Gordon-Sniffen (1:26.88) won the 600, while Ethan Milsark won the 2-mile (10:19.62). Cole Lavalle (8.62) was first in the 55 hurdles and the 4×200 (1:34.49) relay won.
The Northampton girls team enters next Friday’s PVIAC championship in the same position as a year ago. The 2015-16 team was undefeated going into the championship meet, however, it finished second, four points behind Pioneer North rival East Longmeadow.
“I think what we learned last year was that things can happen unexpectedly with anyone,” said Sands Bliss.
The Blue Devils are looking for their first title since 2010. The boys team is looking for its first title since 2011.
“What we’ve learned this year was that we don’t have someone that can just get 30 points for us, which means that we all just have to work harder and put all of our strengths together to pull it off,” said Sands Bliss.
Added Burke, “We know it’s going to be a really close meet. But we are really excited to go out there and work really hard and do our best to win it.”
South Hadley swept Greenfield Friday night. The girls team won 82-13, while the boys won 56-38.
Amy Hampson won the 55 dash in 7.84 seconds for the Tigers.
Haley Sullivan (Easthampton) won the 2-mile for Pope Francis in 11:54.04.