Kayla concluded her high school track career on the eve of her graduation with a spectacular 4x100m anchor leg to bring Newton North home in 2nd place to powerhouse relay Brockton in the Mass State Open meet, defeating the top 23 teams in the state that advanced from the divisional championships (results, photos, milesplit coverage, Boston Globe, Newton Tab).
She got the baton trailing eventual winner Brockton and had a slight lead on a charging field of the six fastest teams in the stat and held them all off. The relay team’s 8 points clinched North’s third consecutive state open title.
From Milesplit article: “Runner-up was a theme for Newton at this meet, as they would get their 4th of those in the 4×100 (49.78), with Carla Forbes running a brilliant 3rd leg to get the stick to senior Kayla Prior, who wrapped it up beautifully. Brockton won the event they have dominated all year (48.94), giving Clerveaux another gold medal around her neck.”
The Newton Tab (North Girls Track Team Dances to third straight title) describes the meet postponement saga that almost had this meet conflicting with the Prom.
About 0.3 seconds after above photo was taken Kayla and I had a nice hug to celebrate at the finish line. I was so glad we had the chance to celebrate and say goodbye to 4 years of track together. I will miss it.
From tracktalk.net:
“rumor was the NN girls were skipping meet for Prom. .
No truth to this. Told by Coach Martin and Mo that all girls would have been present, and that a very elaborate bussing schedule was being put together by JT and some senior parents. I watched Kayla Prior finish the 4×100 and be greeted by her dad/ Newton Sports Photography’s own- something tells me she wasn’t going to miss the opportunity for that moment.I’m more impressed with how they did given that the meet was the day AFTER the prom!”
The North girls ended up with the 8th fastest time in New England for the year. In the long jump, Kayla ended up as the 17th ranked long jumper in the state and 32nd in New England.
The runner-up Wachusett team of 4 girls, with 3 state open championships among them, seemed most excited that evening to meet their favorite blogger:
Newton North principal Jenn Price made the 1 hour drive out to Fitchburg to support the team, posing here with their third consecutive state open trophy:
It all worked out and congrats to Kayla and the team.
Kayla and teammates, so pleased for all of you.
Thank you, Jack