Track and Field state champions were crowned all across the Commonwealth on Sunday.
At Tufts University, Ayer Shirley took the boys title for Division VI with 71 points, and for the girls, Mt. Greylock won their second in a row with 63.85.
Here’s how those two teams pulled off state championships, and some other notable performances from the final day.
Mt. Greylock grabs another
Everything came down to one race for the Mounties on Sunday night.
“Last event, 4×4, it was incredible,” Mt. Greylock coach Brian Gill said. “Hamilton-Wenham was up by 2.15 point entering the relay. Lunenburg was down seven and Lunenburg won and we took second, and Hamilton was eighth.
“But there was a lot of pieces that went into it to get to that point.”
For Gill, what it all came down to was his strategy versus Hamilton-Wenham’s.
“Hamilton-Wenham was seated first in the 4×8, we were fourth, and they ran their studs in the mile, which was a short turnaround to the 4×8,” Gill said. “Nelly Swabey, Josie Bay, and Brenna Lopez, those thee we pulled from the mile so they would be more fresh for the 4×8.”
Gill’s plan worked as the Mounties won the 4×800 by nine seconds, and the Generals came in second.
Then it all came down to the 4×400.
“We pulled Annabelle Coody and Naelyn Robinson from the open four to keep them fresh for the 4×4 and they both PR’d,” gill said. “Rowan Apotsos brought it home. Coralea Lash-St. John ran an incredible third 1:01 split.”
As well as anchoring the winning relay, Apotsos also got points in the 200 meter and the 400 meter open.
Also helping out the Mounties was Katherine Goss who medaled in the triple jump, 100 hurdles, and 400 hurdles.
With the second title in a row, Mt. Greylock is forming somewhat of a dynasty in Div. VI.
“D VI for us started in 2022 and we finished 15th in the first year,” Gill said. “Second in 2023, first in 2024, and first again this year in 2025.
“Honestly I chalk it up to just being ridiculously fun. We just had a glut of great athletes who were committed to the sport, committed to the team. Kids just sacrificed their personal glory to the team like they did today. It’s awesome.”
Ayer Shirley inches out title
While Mt. Greylock had to come from behind to win their state crown, ayer Shirley had to stay just ahead.
Ahead for most of the day, Ayer Shirley nearly fell to Cohasset in the long jump where Cohasset swing 18 total points.
Ayer Shirley held on however, 71, 68 to secure the state crown.
Where they shined was in the 800 meter where Cole New took first and Jullian Kikuba took second to combined for 18 points.
The eventual champs also did particularly well in the javelin. Thomas Bergin took first and Mathias Paillard took fifth place.
Ayer Shirley sealed the deal with their relays, getting a combined 14 points from the 4×400 and the 4×800 to become state champions.
Pioneer Valley Regional’s Rios launches javelin beyond competition
Natalie Rios left nothing to doubt on Sunday as she tossed her javelin 10 feet farther than the next closest competitor.
Her throw of 120-10 was the eighth best mark in the state this year and gave Pioneer Valley Regional nearly all their points.
Rios’ throw accounted for 10 of her team’s 10.85 points in the championship.
Frontier’s Cachiguango keeps up the pace
Frontier Regional finished in third with 50 points at Sunday’s finals. Much of their total was thanks to Ben Cachiguango who won both the 110 and the 400 meter hurdles.
Also standing out for Frontier was Evan Hedlund who was second in the 1 mile race and third in the 2 mile.
MacKenzie Loudon takes the 100 by a hair for Southwick
In the 100 meters, Southwick Regional’s MacKenzie Loudon did just enough to secure first place for the Rams. Loudon ran the race in 12.90, just ahead of Aiyana Massie who ran a 12.92 for Joseph Case.
Loudon also finished sixth in the 200 meter and was a part of the first place 4×100 relay for Southwick.
Overall, the Rams finished in 10th with 26 points.
Pacheco goes the distance for Monument again
Just ahead of Hedlund in the distance running was Monument Mountain’s Everett Pacheco.
After taking first in the 2 mile on Friday night, Pacheco won the 1 mile on Sunday at Tufts.
His 20 points helped Monument finish seventh overall.
