Rebecca Robinson rolls 300

By Joe Reardon / Coaches Elite | Monday, February 1, 2010 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Other High School

Rebecca Robinson’s sole focus at yesterday’s Coaches Elite Invitational was winning the 300-meter dash. She had an added incentive because she was going up against Mansfield’s Emily Broyles, who defeated her last year.

The Arlington sophomore accomplished her goal and a whole lot more at the Reggie Lewis Center. Robinson pulled away from the deep field and crossed the finish line in a stunning meet record of 39.64. Her time bettered the 2001 run of 39.66 by Hopkinton great Christine Moschella.

“It’s a dream,” Robinson said of the record. “I was nervous. I really just wanted to win and I’m glad I did. I had no idea what it (record) was.”

Robinson’s outstanding race was one of a slew of quality performances on the day. The girls 1,000 proved to be a burner with the top six finishers turning in the fastest times in the state this season. Beverly’s Monica Adler waited until the final backstretch before surging ahead of Bishop Feehan’s Jen Thomas on the way to a scalding 2:54.84 victory in her debut at the distance. Adler’s time vaulted her to No. 1 in the country. Emily Grotz of Oliver Ames was second in 2:56.15 with Newton South’s Melanie Fineman taking third in 2:56.33.

“There were so many really good girls out there, it was an opportunity for a fast time,” said the Dartmouth-bound Adler. “I was feeling good so I thought that was the time to take it.

“Cross country gave me the strength and I’ve been doing a lot of speed work.”

The girls 600 rivaled the 1,000 as the best and deepest race of the day with the top six finishers all setting personal bests.

Lincoln-Sudbury’s Andrea Keklak led from the start and was never challenged, finishing in 1:34.44.The state Division 1 cross country champion, Keklak credited her distance background for her success in just her second 600.

“A lot of the people in the 600 are 300 (or) 400 people so they’re going up in distance and I’m dropping down,” she said.

A pair of relay squads set new meet standards in the 4 x 200. Andover’s team of Mark Vetere, 55-meter dash winner Chris McConnell, Kerrick Stevens and Andrew Osberne clocked a 1:31.50, edging out Woburn’s previous mark of 1:31.53 set in 2008.

Boston Latin’s Alexandra Williams, Emma Rice, Tamika Reid and Meisha Brooks blazed to a 1:43.65 win, under the 1:44.60 set by Cambridge in 2005.

Newton South’s Kathy O’Keefe went through 800 meters in 2:28, on the way to a dominant 5:01.31 win.

Arlington’s Antony Taylor changed gears in the final 120 yards of the mile to pull out a 4:23.58 victory.

“I had something left and I wanted to save it until the end,” Taylor said. “I wanted to run 4:16 pace, but was going to do whatever it took to win the race.”

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