RallyNorth.net

Hillies' Stabile starring in new event

Sunday, May, 09 By Michael Muldoon
Staff writer

ANDOVER — Rebecca Stabile cringed when asked if she considered running the 800 meters.
It was if she were asked to give up her Blackberry.
Although the only time she ever ran the 800 she set the school record (2:16.43 this winter), the Haverhill junior has taken to the 400 hurdles.
Stabile ran away with the event yesterday at the 50th annual Collins-McIntyre Andover Boosters meet.
“I love running the 400 hurdles,’’ she said.
Two years ago as a freshman, Stabile ran a 45.86 in the 300 hurdles, which ranks her ninth all-time in the region. Last spring, Massachusetts adopted the longer low hurdles event, but Stabile was sidelined with a painful hip injury.
The 400 meters would be another option for the multi-talented Stabile, whose parents both starred here on the Eugene V. Lovely field track as members of the Golden Warriors.
“The 400 you are thinking about how your body hurts,’’ she said. “In the 400 hurdles, you are thinking about the next hurdle. I think it’s easier. That might be weird.’’
The athletic Stabile clan is noted for its toughness and Rebecca is as tough as they come. That extra 100 meters can be a killer, but it suits Stabile’s skills perfectly.
“Since I’m an 800, 400 runner, it’s a better fit,’’ said Stabile, who placed fifth in the 600 meters this winter at All-States.
Stabile’s 65.12 yesterday clipped 0.38 seconds off her personal best from last week, which was the fastest time ever by a local in the two-year-old event.
“This is my new record and it’s very exciting,’’ she said.
The state coaches’ Web site has Stabile ranked third in the state behind Medfield’s Alex Stanton (63.30) and Mansfield’s Jennifer Esposito (63.87).
She could move up as she gains experience and shakes off the rust from the hip injury, which flared up again early in the season.
“She’s just rounding into form,’’ noted Hillie coach Mike Maguire.
Stabile came back to run a speedy 59-second opening leg on the Hillies’ 4x400 team, which came out of the unseeded heat to place third.
When she was apprised of their place, Stabile remarked, “Oh, my God! Good job girls.’’