RallyNorth.net

Fri, Feb 13, 2015 05:00 PM @ Amherst

Team	Final
Greater Lawrence	10
Amherst	55

Reggies' Gonzalez stuns field at Division 3 States

BOSTON — Luis Gonzalez, the 23rd-seeded runner among 23 qualifiers, won the Division 3 state 55-meter dash title Friday night at the Reggie Lewis Center.

His newly dyed blonde-orange hair was hard to miss in the photo finish. The Greater Lawrence Tech senior won by 5/1000ths of a second over Norwood’s Aaron Cockrane (6.702 to 6.707).

“I thought he had an outside shot of top 4,” said coach Jay Santomassino. “This was a nice surprise and a nice shock.”

After waiting his entire career to be an elite sprinter, Gonzalez had to wait just a bit longer before the victory was confirmed.

“I was right there,” said Santomassino. “I said to my assistant, ‘Oh, my God, I think he got it.’ It took 35-40 seconds to come up on the board (listing official results). We had about 30 kids and 20 parents there and I heard the screaming and yelling.”

Gonzalez had only run 6.94 previously this winter but Santomassino explained that once the senior had hit the qualifying standard he began to concentrate more on the 300 meters.

With heavily-favored Amherst-Pelham great Taj-Amir Torres (6.41 season best) not running, Gonzalez stunned the field.

Gonzalez opened eyes with the top time of 6.71 in the prelims.

Santomassino said competing against Division 1 schools in the Greater Boston League this winter and training the last couple months with the Haverhill Elite club team also helped.

Santomassino said Gonzalez is “only 5-2 or 5-3” but he was plenty big enough to reign supreme. Next up is All-States at Reggie Lewis next Saturday.

“There is still room for improvement,” said Santomassino. “He can improve his starts. His lean was great.”