The Hopkinton High School girls track and field team is leaning on its depth and versatility this spring, and coach Jean Cann is confident that the Hillers once again will be the team to beat in the Tri-Valley League.
HHS won its first three dual meets of the season, earning comfortable victories over Norwood, Holliston and Ashland.
“We had solid wins against all three, and some good individual performances,” Cann said. “We are having a good year.”
Hopkinton is loaded with talent throughout the roster, with both veteran athletes and newcomers making significant contributions. Junior Isabel Walker is a standout in both the hurdles and the jumping events. Sophie Rasul earned some early season wins in the javelin and has one of the top times in the 400 meters, despite it being a new event for her.
“She is pretty well rounded,” Cann said of Rasul. “She can do a bunch of events.”
Bella Walkiewicz is back and healthy after an injury. The MVP of the indoor season, Walkiewicz placed in a recent pentathlon. Through late April, she has the top time in the TVL in the 400 and is among the Hillers’ most versatile athletes.
“She can do jumps, hurdles, sprints — everything,” Cann said. “We have moved her around quite a bit.”
Callie Owens captured three straight dual meet wins in the 100 and is stellar in the 200 as well. The Hopkinton distance crew consists of Wafiya Syeda, Lila Heling, Jillian Toran and Chloe Tumbleton.
“They have all been strong and scoring points,” Cann said.
Adeline Morrissey is a skilled short- and middle-distance runner, while Phoebe Klein has been strong in both the 400 and 800. Kaelyn Faber has continued to dominate in the shot put, discus and javelin and always competes in two of those three events during meets. The Hillers have a good deal of depth in the throwing events. Ella Brooks has one of the top TVL marks in the discus, freshman Phoebe Snyder placed several times early in the year, and Evelyn Woodbury emerged as one of the team’s best javelin throwers after trying the event for the first time. Cann gives out different color beads to her athletes to wear either when they secure a personal best or try an event for the first time.
“I encourage them to try different events, because you never know,” Cann said, citing Woodbury as an example.
Adding to the Hopkinton jumping corps are high jumper Emily Miller and Clara Bransfield, who also stands out in the sprints and hurdles.
Cann said the Hillers are hoping for a top-10 or even a top-five finish at the state divisional meet. They also will look to extend an unbeaten streak in TVL dual meets that dates back to 2001, before any of the current team members were born.
“I try to get them to think about it as motivation rather than pressure,” Cann said. “If they are doing everything they can and we lose, I am OK with that. But if they aren’t doing everything we can, that’s a disservice to the girls who have come before and worked hard to keep that streak going.”




















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