RallyNorth.net

Sat, May 28, 2011 10:00 AM @ Andover

Team	Final
Lawrence	0
Andover	0

Farnham stands tall at EMass Division 1 meet

Saturday, May, 28 By David Willis
Staff writer

ANDOVER — Looking down at the gold medal that had been draped around his neck moments earlier, it still seemed a bit surreal to Andover’s Pat Farnham.

“I never though I’d be running this fast,” said Farnham. “I never thought I’d be running track at all in high school. It feels so awesome. I just love this.”

The diminutive Farnham surged to a decisive victory in the 200 and ran a dominant anchor leg on the winning 4x100 relay at the Eastern Mass. Division 1 state championship yesterday at Eugene V. Lovely Field.

The Andover girls took second as a team (85.5) just short of Newton North (93.5). The Golden Warrior boys finished third (50) with Acton-Boxboro taking the top spot (76).

A year ago, Farnham was the surprise star. In his first season of high school track, the then-junior took second at EMass Division 1 states and fourth at All-States in the 200.

But this season, Farnham has run as the undisputed favorite.

“It’s hard to be the favorite,” he said. “The expectations are a lot higher now. You could say there is a lot of pressure because everyone expects me to be the best. Coach expects me to lead the team.”

The UMass Amerst recruit had no problem meeting those expectations yesterday.

He rolled to victory in the 200 in a blazing 22.33, out-sprinting teammate Troy Cayon (22.74) who placed second.

“I was seeded first,” he said. “So my expectations were to get first. The school record is 21.98 by Bruce Brown, so now my goal is to break that. Time will tell.”

Farnham once again blew away the competition as the anchor leg of the 4x100 that cruised to victory in 42.57, well ahead of No. 2 Brockton (43.46)

“Pat had another tremendous day,” said Warriors coach Peter Comeau. “That 4x100 looks like it will chase the state record. They were about 0.2 off today.”

Farnham was the talk of the meet, with spectators and media commenting on the way the 5-foot-4, 145-pounder with a full beard exploded to victory down the stretch.

“I hear the people,” he joked. “I hear them say, ‘He is so small. How is he so fast?’ I like having that reputation as that small kid with speed.

“Running this fast is amazing. Running is my drug. It’s getting away from all the stress in my life. I feel so much stronger than a year ago.”

Farnham has displayed his versatility so far this postseason. He won the 400 (49.31) at the Andover Booster Meet two weeks ago, won the 100 (10:94) last week at the MVC Meet before the decision was made for him to compete in the 200 this week.

“Pat is such a great runner,” said Cayon. “He makes me better during practice and obviously in the 4x100. Sometimes I can beat him, but he almost always beats me.”

Cronin ties all-time mark

Moira Conin’s winter slump is far in the rear view mirror now.

The Andover senior tied her all-time area record in the high jump with a 5-10 yesterday.

More amazingly, she didn’t have a single miss before trying to set a new all-time mark of 6-feet.

“I was jumping around making a fool out of myself as always,” said the bubbly Cronin, who won MVC’s with a 5-8 last week. “To have two wins after the winter I had is awesome.”

Cronin’s teammate and close friend Jess Salley took second with a 5-4.

Severino takes the gold

Lawrence junior Kelvin Severino set his eyes on the prize.

“I went for the kill,” he said. “I knew there was great competition, but I wanted to win so bad.”

In his first year of outdoor track, Severino won the 100 in 11.06.

One of the first to congratulate him was all-time area record holder and 2010 All-State champ Christopher McConnell of Andover, now running at UConn.

“I’m shocked I won,” said Severino, who played baseball last spring, his first with the Lancers. “My start wasn’t so great. I saw everyone get out ahead of me. But it was about acceleration and catching up. I accelerated and knew I had it.”

Eberth, Bishop outlean the competition

With the finish within reach, Andover’s Sydney Eberth all but dove for the line.

“I could see her in my peripherals and I just had to lean,” she said. “I leaned so much I almost fell on my face.”

But Eberth did keep be balance and won the 400 in 57.99.

“That is the first girl I have ever coached that broke 58 seconds,” said Comeau. “Then she ran a great split in the 4x400.”

For Eberth, her postseason emergence has been a shock.

“I did not expect to win this at all,” she said. “My goal was to place and get a PR (personal record). When I came down the straightaway I saw I was in the lead and knew I had a chance to be a champion.”

Another photo finish saw Andover’s Eve Bishop edge Newton North anchor Meghan Bellerose to win the 4x400 relay in a meet-record 3:57.50.

Bishop also won the 200 in 26.05.

“Eve is the heart of our team,” said Cronin, who ran the opening leg of the relay. “I couldn’t be happier for her. She was incredible and I am so proud to be part of this relay.”

Stabile ready for anything

Haverhill’s Rebecca Stabile repeated as 400 hurdles champion, winning in 1:04.28.

“I was very happy,” she said. “I have won this two years in a row. I am feeling ready and feeling confident for next week (All-States).”

Additional stories:

• VIDEO: EMass Division 1 state track meet 2011