Newton North vs. Weymouth on Thursday

Newton North Vs Weymouth Girls

Thursday's meet should establish the top girls team in the Carey Division.

In the girls meet, Weymouth will have their hands full, as Newton North doesn't give up easy points in any event. To have a chance, Weymouth has to battle North to a draw in the longer running events, and try to gain in the sprints, high jump, and relay. It will be a tall order.

In the distances, these are the two deepest teams in the league. Each coaching staff must try to decide the most advantageous use of its talent. Figuring out where to use your runners for the 1000, 1M, and 2M is like playing a game of rock-paper-scissors with names like Barton, Mahoney, Pearce, and Ranti instead of hands behind your back. Here are the results from the races last week:

1000: Barton (N), Barnicle (N), Pearce (W)
1M: Ranti (N), Mahoney (W), Sacchetti (W)
2M: McCarthey (W), Hemley-Bronstein (N), Longo (W)

I think it's a given that Jess Barton will win in whatever event she is entered. Last week she ran the 1000. Does she move up to the 1M? Assuming she moves up, does Mahoney move up from the 1M to the 2M? If Mahoney is likely to move up, should Barton move all the way up to the 2M? Or does Weymouth keep Mahoney in the 1M, and move Pearce up to the 2M? Last week, North didn't run Haleigh Smith. If Smith runs, how does that affect the outcome of the different races?

While I have no idea what either team is going to do, I think North has too much depth, and will manage to take 16-18 of the 27 points up for grabs in the three races. If both teams were to run the same lineup and performances as last week, with Smith running and winning the 2M, North would score 18 out of 27 points. Weymouth can't let that happen and expect to win the meet.

There are matchup decisions in the shorter distances as well. Last week Kat Chiong ran the 300. On Saturday, she ran 1:42 in the 600. Where will she run on Thursday? With Emma Kornetsky running sub-1:45 in the 600 on Saturday, Chiong probably stays in the 300 where she gets to take on one or more of Samantha Bennett, Jenn Bell, and Melissa Kimball, while Kornetsky and Sally Leung take on Weymouth's Carolyn Connolly in the 600. Weymouth really needs a good showing in both of these events to have a shot. In the sprints, North's Michelle Kaufman should win the 55 and lead a North sweep in the hurdles.

In the field events, anything can happen. On paper, Newton North has an edge in both the high jump and shot put, but Weymouth's Bell (HJ), and Michelle Bruce (SP) could win and turn the tables on the Tigers. They will have to, because North has the better 4x400 relay team. Basically, Weymouth has to have everything go right in this meet to keep it even. But Weymouth often runs at its best when it competes against North, so it's possible...

Newton North Vs Weymouth Boys

The main reason that Newton hasn't lost a dual meet in nine years is because coach Jim Blackburn doesn't concede a single event, and never takes an opponent for granted. Having said that, Newton and Weymouth are very evenly matched, and the meet should go down to the wire.

Newton's Seb Putzys should get the Tigers off to a good start by winning the mile, no matter who Weymouth enters. But the Wildcats will have a good chance to get the points back in the 1000 with Dan Pope or Craig Myers. Last week, Weymouth showed great depth in the 600, and Newton can't let them sweep. Perhaps Avery Mitchell will move up? The 55 hurdles will go to Weymouth, but the 55 dash is a strength for Newton, and Weymouth will have a hard time avoiding a sweep.

Weymouth should take 1-2 in the high jump, unless Newton's fabled 6-4 jumper makes an appearance. Newton should sweep the shot put, with David Smith and Marvin Chan leading the way as they did last week. That brings us to the 2-mile. The meet could swing on this race, where Weymouth has to find a way to break up Newton's top two. Perhaps Weymouth moves a runner up from the mile?

If it comes down to the relay, it will be close. Newton probably has the edge, because they are always strong in the relay and have the league's best time so far.

So it should be a great meet, and lots of excitement for all the alumni that typically show up for the last meet before Christmas break. Good luck to all the runners, throwers, and jumpers. May the best teams win!