Schoffield runs 2:06.90 to win 800 at New Englands

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Before Kristie Schoffield packs up and travels more than 2,500 miles west to start her collegiate career at Boise State University in Idaho, she made sure to leave a mark near home.

At the New England Track and Field Championships at Norwell High MA, the Merrimack Valley NH senior left a stamp on her already highly successful running career, winning the 800-meter race Saturday in a personal-best time of 2 minutes, 6.90 seconds.

"I was seeded first, so I was like, 'Oh boy, this is my chance, I better go for it, it's now or never," Schoffield said. "I definitely wanted to run fast; sub 2:07, that's really exciting."

In a fast field, where seven runners finished under 2:11 and five under 2:10, Schoffield didn't take command till the final straightaway, where she used a strong kick to pass by Clare Martin of Newton South MA, who finished second (2:07.91).

"On the last 100, it's just like everything I had," Schoffield said.

Schoffield will now prepare to run the 800 at the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle. But the senior said running well at New Englands was definitely the way she wanted to go out.

"It's perfect," she said. "It's like a fairy tale."

In the boys 800, Tyler Gleen of Trumbull CT won in a time of 1:51.34.

In the sprints, Needham MA junior Davonte Burnett won the 100-meter dash in 10.48 seconds, out-leaning Donatien Djero of Central RI (10.49) and Mark Doyley of Weaver CT (10.53). Doyley came back and defended his 200 crown, winning in 21.27.

In the girls 100, Penn State-bound Brooke-Lynn Williams of Norton, was able to end her high school career with another 100 New England crown, clocking 11.94. She finished third in the 200 (25.02). Freshman Andraya Yearwood of Cromwell CT, who is male but identifies as a girl and was allowed to compete for the girls team this spring, finished second in 12.22.

"It feels really good, even in Massachusetts I get to finish off my season home," Williams said.

In the girls 1,600, seven runners went under five minutes, with Mia Nahom of New Milford winning in 4:52.75. The boys 1,600 winner was Arlington MA sophomore Ryan Oosting (4:11.93).

After struggling last week at states, Biddeford ME senior Matt Brady came up with a big throw of 64-3.75 to win the shot put and set a new meet record.

"Last week I did struggle," Brady said. "I really wanted to go back to my basics this week, really just get back to my fundamentals, stay relaxed in the circle."

Brady's throw broke the meet record of 64-2.25 from 2015, held by Daniel Guiliani of South Portland.

"It feels really good," Brady said of breaking the record. "(Guiliani) was a big influence on why I switched to the rotational throw."

In the pole vault, Erick Duffy of North Andover MA, vaulted 16-4.75 to win. Lia Zavattaro of Greenwich CT led an impressive performance from Connecticut vaulters. The junior won, clearing 11-9, and Connecticut swept the first five places in the vault.

The Danbury boys 4x400 relay closed out the competition with a meet record, running 3:17.88.