BOSTON — Tim Foley stood in the middle of the Reggie Lewis Center Track last evening, staring at the scoreboard at the conclusion of the Cape Ann League Championship Meet.
The Newburyport indoor track coach had a confused expression on his face as the final results of the boys' meet displayed for the final time.
Newburyport (8-1) had repeated as the CAL Meet champion, and it wasn't even close. The Clippers tallied 98 points to second-place North Andover's 71. The Clippers won a championship meet title only 13 days after North Andover beat them in a dual meet, 45-41, snapping a 26-meet winning streak.
"I'm really surprised at that score," Foley said. "We had some kids sick and injured, but they stepped up tremendously. We had great performances."
No Newburyport athlete was more sick than senior captain Ryan Dionne, who won the 55-meter dash (6.71) despite the fact that he was recently diagnosed with walking pneumonia and a sinus infection. Dionne brought the meet to a close for Newburyport by running the anchor leg for Newburyport's third-place finishing 4x400 meter relay. After crossing the line, Dionne collapsed to his back on the infield of the track.
"I knew we had a chance to win the meet, and I always stay positive," Dionne said. "I wouldn't have run if it wasn't necessary. I'd rather be healthy for the next meet (Division 4 Championships). Today, it was necessary. I wanted to prove to myself that I can handle things if it I don't feel great."
Dionne was one of five Newburyport CAL champions, along with CAL Athlete of the Year John O'Neil (55-meter hurdles, 8.15), Nick Carleo (mile, 4:33.91), Chris Suprin (2-mile, 9:52.51) and Steve Preston (shot put, 49-1 1/2).
Newburyport's run-away victory overshadowed an interesting competition for the final two spots on the podium in the team competition. North Andover (71 points), Masconomet (68 points) and Triton (57 points) finished second, third and fourth, respectively. No other team scored more than 18 points.
This year's title came as more of a surprise to the Clippers considering they did not have a perfect dual-meet season, unlike last season when they finished 10-0. Not only did the Clippers lose a close meet to North Andover this season, but they also needed final-event victories against Triton and Masconomet to stave off defeat.
For those reasons, the Clippers were expected to finish anywhere from first to fourth. The Clippers never left any doubt.
They opened the meet with a 1-2 finish in the 2-mile with Suprin and Keith Conway (9:54.76). O'Neil then collected a title in the hurdles. Preston was up next with a championship in the shot put. By the time Dionne won the dash in the fourth event, the meet was effectively Newburyport's to lose.
"We absolutely dominated this meet; it was fun to be a part of this," O'Neil said.
O'Neil went into the final heat of the hurdles as the second seed after posting a slower time than Triton's Jake Stelline in the preliminary round. Both athletes ran faster in the championship heat, although O'Neil's time was 0.11 seconds faster than Stelline's.
"That was hectic," O'Neil said. "I've had wins and losses against (Stelline). It's back and forth. It's always a battle, but I was pumped to win."
O'Neil, the defending Division 4 North champion, will put his title on the line Feb. 18 at the Reggie Lewis Center.
"I'm looking to hopefully get another title," O'Neil said. "Coach (Mike) McCormick helped me get here and he'll help me get wherever I'm going to go."
Foley was also complimentary of McCormick as well as fellow assistant coach Don Hennigar.
"We're blessed with great kids," Foley said. "We're blessed to have Donny and Mike coaching. It's been a nice ride."
Top River Rival Region finishers
Champions
Name, SchoolEventResult
Ryan Dionne, N'port55-meter dash6.71
John O'Neil, N'port55-meter hurdles8.15
Nick Carleo, N'portMile4:33.91
Chris Suprin, N'port2-mile9:52.51
Steve Preston, N'portShot put49-1 1/2
Ben Bashaw, Triton1,000 meters2:38.93
Jake Stelline, TritonHigh jump6-1
Second place
Jake Stelline, Triton55-meter hurdles8.26
Ali Attenasio, Pentucket55-meter hurdles9.32
Boys relay, N'port4x800 meters8:50.32
Andrew Orlando, N'portMile4:34.27
Keith Conway, N'port2-mile9:54.76
Kerstin Darsney, TritonHigh jump5-0
Perry Mroz, AmesburyShot put45-7-3/4
Third place
Delante Castle, Amesbury55-meter dash6.84
Boys Relay, Triton4x800 meters9:14.49
Jared Healey, N'port300 meters37.51
Laura Frackiewicz, Triton600 meters1:43.94
Sawyer Updike, N'port1,000 meters2:34.34
Boys relay, Triton4x200 meters1:38.83
Boys relay, N'port4x400 meters3:41.03
Girls relay, N'port4x400 meters4:25.82
Peder Franson, TritonHigh jump5-9
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