Drop overtakes 'idol' DeBalsi in 3,200 meters 

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. -- The setting could not have been more perfect for Jessica Drop late Saturday afternoon at Willow Brook Park at the New England Track and Field Outdoor Championships.

With the sun beaming down on her shoulders and a clear shot to the finish line down the final 100 meters of Veteran's Stadium, the moment was set for the small-town senior from Durham, Connecticut.

Coming off a sub-4:50 1,600 hours earlier in the pouring rain, Drop turned in a phenomenal 3,200-meter race, as she overtook the defending champion Hannah DeBalsi of Staples on the final lap to win in a personal best time of 10 minutes, 17.54 seconds.

"It was the best feeling I think I've had in high school track," said Drop of coming down the straightaway and winning.

It was the first 3,200 New England title for Drop. She became the first Connecticut runner since Claire Howlett (2014) to defeat DeBalsi in a 3,200.

"Honestly, I never thought I could beat someone like Hannah DeBalsi," Drop explained. "I's been an honor watching her throughout the four years, she's my idol, someone I've been working toward."

DeBalsi led from the start, establishing a fast pace. DeBalsi, who will attend Stanford in the fall, opened up a sizeable gap midway through the race. Drop said she wasn't concerned with how big the lead was.

"I kind of didn't think about catching her," she said. "I just kept pushing."

With one lap to go, Drop was able to pass DeBalsi on the backstretch. Drop, who is known more for her 800 and 1,600 range, used that speed to hold off any response from DeBalsi.

"I'm kind of thanking my coach for making me do that 4x4 at the end of every race after the 3,200 because I kind of used that mindset to say, 'Hey, one more lap'" Drop said with a smile.

Four girls clocked under 10:30, as sophomore Jacqueline Gaughan of Exeter (N.H.) was runner-up (10:24.27). DeBalsi placed third (10:26.99).

The boys' 1,600 race also packed quite the highlight reel earlier in the meet with rain and cooler temperatures factoring in.

Eric van der Els of Brien McMahon (CT) edged out Esu Alemseged of Cambridge (Mass) by 0.4 seconds. Van der Els won in 4:12.47, Alemseged was second (4:12.51), while DJ Principe of La Salle finished third (4:12.71) and teammate Matt Bouthillette finished fourth (4:12.84).

"It was tight, all four of us right across the line," Bouthillette explained.

Added van der Els: "I just wanted  to put my head down and fun my fastest."

Principe took the lead establishing an honest pace from the gun. With a less than ideal second and third lap for many, it was the final 400 that was the deciding factor.

"I felt a little heavy," van der Els said of middle of the race. "It had to be conditions, not what I thought it would be. (But) with 600 to go, I just wanted to put the hammer down and go."

New Englands signified the last meet La Salle's trio of Salisbury, Principe and Bouthillette would be at together. Salisbury, who won the 800 New England title in 1:52.87 on Saturday, will run in the adidas Boost Boston Games mile on Friday evening. Principe will head to New Balance Nationals and Bouthillette will run at Brooks PR in Seattle.

"This is kind of like the last season with Matt and Jack," Principe, a junior said. "A lot of bittersweet finishes; I've been thankful for three years with these guys."

Salisbury and Bouthillette will both run for Georgetown this fall.

"We'll be going our separate ways for our meets, but I know they are going to kill their races, and they are confident in me," Salisbury said.

Maegan Doody of Oyster River (N.H.), who will attend Georgetown as well, picked up the win in the 1,600 (4:47.93) and then placed sixth in the 800 (2:11.72).

She'll run the mile at nationals next week.

"I think I have one more good race left in me," Doody said.

In the boys 3,200, Gabe Altopp of Ridgefield (CT) won in 9:02.35.

New England indoor 55-meter champion Brooke-Lynn Williams of Norton (Mass) claimed the 100 crown in 11.90. The junior said she used the rain as just another competitior when she ran.

"During the race, I just didn't notice it. It's all a head game, just trust your spikes, trust yourself," Williams said.

Williams said this season has been filled with personal bests and feels confidence going into nationals.

"I think just the competition I'm really excited for," she said. "And being comfortable and running with them and knowing I'm up there with them."

Junior Mark Doyley of Weaver (CT) won the 100 (21.60) and 200 (48.23).

Erick Duffy of North Andover (Mass.) won the boys pole vault clearing 15-6.

To close out the meet, the Wilbur Cross (CT) girls' 4x4 relay team of Leah Rivers, Danae Rivers, Erica Snape and Gabby Curtis set a New England record, running 3:49.06.