RallyNorth.net

Astros finish first

 After a slow start to his season, record-setting Jadyn Ruimwijk entered Super Bowl Sunday as the No. 4 seed in the 55-meter dash.

Once he hit the track, however, the regaining Eagle-Tribune All-Star regained his superstar form.

Ruimwijk won the 55 dash 6.78, took gold in the 300 in 35.51 and ran on the winning 4x200 and 4x400 relays as the Pinkerton boys surged to the team title with 90.33 points at the New Hampshire Division 1 track meet at the University of New Hampshire. Second-place Nashua North finished with just 68.33 points.

Not to be outdone, the Astros girls also won the team crown, with 86 points, well ahead of No. 2 Exeter (59 points).

“Both teams are so psyched,” said Pinkerton boys coach Ian French. “The girls haven’t won as a team since 1981 and both teams have never won in the same year. It was really amazing to see them come together and do something special today.”

Coming off a great spring season when he was All-State champ in the 100 and 200, Ruimwijk’s winter started off a bit rocky.

But with a Division 1 title on the line, the soft-spoken speedster was at his best.

“Jadyn was ranked fourth after a slow start, but he came in today and ran like a champion,” said French. “He saved the best for the day that matters most. That’s what captains do.”

Ruimwijk then teamed with Matt Newman, Avery Battle and Eagle-Tribune football All-Star Kayden Baillargeon to win the 4x200 in 1:35.21 and with Ruimwijk, Adam Spencer, Pat Hanlon and Noah Woodman to win the 4x400 in 3:36.63

But Ruimwijk wasn’t the only star for Pinkerton.

Astros senior Kaleal Cerafici lived up to his top seeding, winning the shot put with a 46-7.5.

“Sometimes the big meets have gotten into his head,”said French. “So to see him come in here and put that all behind him is one of those moments a team lives for. He did great.”

Spencer chipped in with a key second in the 55 hurdles.

“Adam had a really consistent season,” said French. “It’s tough to chase a guy like (Winnacunnet’s) Billy Powers, who is one of the best in the country. Adam has managed to get better and it was great to see his season end on such a great run.”