BOSTON — With the biggest dual meet of the season just a day away – a meet against Masconomet whose outcome will determine the Northeastern Conference champions – the Peabody boys and girls track teams may be peaking at just the right time.
Based on both teams’ success at Sunday’s Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Coaches Invitational (Large Schools) at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, the stars appear to be aligned for the Tanners.
Evan Bedard was the star of the show, winning two individual events.
But that’s only the beginning of his story.
In winning the long jump with a career best 22-11.00, he set a new Peabody High school record. He also won the triple jump with a career best leap of 46-03.00 to set another school record and meet record.
“Evan had an incredible day,” Peabody’s jump team coach Dan Harris said. “All the work he has put into the offseason is paying off physically. More importantly, his focus while competing is what sets him apart.”
What makes Bedard’s performance even more remarkable is that this is only his second year competing in indoor track.
“I started outdoor track freshman year, but indoor is still very new to me,” Bedard said. “I knew about the school records but wasn’t sure about the meet records. The school record I was definitely working hard for because I want to leave my mark on this school and this program so I was really happy not just to get one, but two yesterday.”
Alex Jackson, who boys’ team head coach Fernando Braz said has been the No. 1 ranked high school shot-putter in the nation since December 2024, won the shot put with a heave of 64-04, shattering a 25-year old meet record by four feet and capping a three-peat, having also placed first in 2024 and 2023. And he did it after fouling on his first throw. After that, it was lights out with Jackson saying the ensuing series might have been his best ever.
“I think I threw 62, 64, 64, and 60 so it’s all about body control and control of your emotions when you miss your first throw,” Jackson said. “I was really happy with my throws, especially after fouling on the first one.”
Several other Tanners delivered podium-worthy performances, while others set new season and/or career records.
Declan Smith finished second in the mile with a season-best 4:28.33.
Areno Saint-Victor placed eighth in the shot put with a throw of 47-09.5. Peyton Smith finished ninth in the 55 hurdles (7.88) and Riley Michaud placed 11th in the triple jump (PR 39-00).
The 4×400 team of Omar Mishal, Declan Smith, Mohammed Lhoussouani, and Brian Stevens placed sixth in the 4×400 relay (3:33.14).
On the girls’ side, head coach Phil Sheridan said the team had an “excellent” day.
Makayla Kokonezis was the top Tanner performer, placing third in the high jump (5-00). Alessandra Forgione placed fifth in the shot put (35-04.25).
Five Tanners set personal records. They were Lauren Foley, 10th in the 600 (1:42.60); Avery Marcus, 12th in the 1000 (3:13.56); Jane Haight, 16th in the 1000 (3:17.16) Ella Braz, in the mile (5:27.68) and Maya Sutton, 16th in the long jump (15-100.50).
The 4×200 relay team of Kokonezis, Tamara Kemigisha, Ava Champigny, and Sutton finished ninth (1:51.66).
But rather than rest on their laurels, both teams were hard at work Monday at practice in anticipation of Wednesday’s meet. A boys’ win will clinch the Northeastern Conference dual meet title outright, while a girls’ win will secure a share of the conference title with Marblehead and run the Tanners’ NEC title streak to four.
Sheridan said it won’t be easy.
“We are currently 5-0-1, pretty sure Marblehead is still without a loss. They do have a tie with us), since this is the last dual meet I am going to assume that Marblehead is also 5-0-1,” Sheridan said. “I know Masco has one loss (to Marblehead), but Masco is a good team with some great athletes. They spanked us last spring, so we need to put the right girls in the right spots that are best for the team. I expect this meet will be a tough one.”
Bedard said the boy’s team has won every conference title since 2007.
“Masco is a good team and we don’t ever take anyone lightly,” Bedard said. “We definitely want to win and keep our undefeated and conference title streak going. We know you can’t play around with any team so we are expecting it will be a tough task Wednesday.”
“It’s really about the team and coaches, this year especially,” Jackson said. “Everyone really cares and wants to be really good and they’re making it happen. We have a few more days to prepare for Masco, but thankfully most of the hard work and preparation has already been done so we need to go in and execute.”
