Chelsea High’s boys track team opened its season with two consecutive victories, first over Lynn Tech with a score of 105-31, followed by a win against Northeast Regional Vocational School, 88-48. Senior captain Santos Hernandez was instrumental in both triumphs, winning the 400 meter low hurdles and 110 meter high hurdles against each opponent. He also finished second in the triple jump in both contests, contributing 13 points to Chelsea’s total. Another senior captain, Nobert Simon, made significant contributions throughout both meets. Against Lynn Tech, Simon captured the high jump while placing second in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, and long jump. In the Northeast competition, he won both the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash, and shared first place with teammate Luis Hernandez in the long jump.
Additional victories for the Red Devils came from Joseph Arroyo, who won the mile in both meets, and Brandon Rath, who took first in the 400 meter dash in both contests, recording a personal record (PR) in the Northeast race. Francisco Colindres claimed the 800 meters against both opponents, while Rony Gomez won the discus in both meets. The relay team of Calvin Hernandez, Joseph Arroyo, Edgar Ocana and Brandon Rath secured first place in the 4 x 400 relay.
In the Lynn Tech meet, other point contributors included: Adam Umarov with a second in the 400 hurdles and third in the 110 meter high hurdles; Edgar Ocana leading a Chelsea sweep of the two mile, followed by Hector Mendoza and Tyler Potter; Yehya Nur placing second in the mile with senior Roger Andrade (who is BU bound) following; Jorge Ramos taking second in the 400 with Michael Rendon in third; Brian Pliego and Chester Rath finishing second and third in the 800; Troy Crossley placing third in the 100 meter dash, 200 meters, and long jump while finishing second in the high jump; senior Walter Cortez winning the javelin with Pliego second and Anthony Carrasquilla third; Christian Ortega winning the shot put with Andy Rath and Juan Achar following; Carrasquilla taking third in the discus; and Kevin Luu placing third in the triple jump.
For the Northeast meet, contributors to Chelsea’s victory included: Yehya Nur with a third in the mile; Luis Hernandez placing second in the 400; Brian Pliego and Chester Rath finishing second and third in the 800; Juan Achar and Walter Cortez placing second and third in the discus; Edgar Ocana and Hector Mendoza finishing second and third in the two mile; Troy Crossley with a second in the 100 meter dash, second in the long jump, and third in the 200 meters; Walter Cortez placing second in the javelin with a PR throw and Pliego third with a PR; Christian Ortega placing second in the shot put with Andy Rath third and a PR; and Kevin Luu competing in the triple jump.
CHS coach Don Fay reflected on the team’s start, stating “We have had a good first month of training. It’s important to find events for the newcomers so that they feel like a part of the team. I’m looking forward to a good vacation week and looking for improvements in all aspects of our team by the time we face Greater Lawrence.” The Red Devils will travel to Greater Lawrence on Monday.