ANNA LASTRA made it back from a stress fracture to compete at the New England Indoor Track & Field Championships in the two mile.

By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

FRYEBURG — When Anna Lastra learned that she had a stress fracture, she easily could have put the brakes on indoor track and started to look ahead to the spring.

Instead, she never gave up on her goal.

Saturday, it paid off for the Fryeburg Academy junior.

Entered in the two-mile at the New England Indoor Track & Field Championships held at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston on Saturday, Anna finished 17th overall in 11:43.18, breaking the indoor Fryeburg Academy record by nine seconds. Anna earned Nationals Elite Status for her effort.

“Anna has worked through some tough times this season,” Fryeburg Academy Coach Kevin McDonald said. “A stress fracture, having to cross train and most of all maintaining her focus on the goals that were set early in the year. Many an athlete could have packed it in and said let’s get ready for outdoors, not Anna. She remained positive, never gave up and fought to be the best she could be. We spoke of a sub-11:50 and knew it was there. To explode on the track at New England’s and run 11:43.18 speaks volumes about this young lady.”

Five Raiders qualified for the meet and though injuries hindered two, FA was well represented.

Skye Collins was unable to compete due to a sprained ankle and Xiaoyu Yang had to withdraw from the high jump at 6-feet 5-inches due to injury.

“Xiaoyu was jumping last Wednesday and hurt his take-off ankle. We thought with tape and rest he might be good to go. However after clearing the first two heights on his first jumps, he was unable to continue. Frustrated and upset, Xiaoyu had to withdraw,” Coach McDonald said. “He still managed to finish eighth overall, which left him just off the podium. Only a junior, we look for good things to come.”

Elijah Thompson ran a fine 300-meter, finishing 22nd in New England. His time was 38.32.

“300m is not a distance we are familiar with as we run 200m in Maine,” the coach said. “However, Eli ran a solid race and was faster than his seed time.”

TJ Rose finished 23rd in the mile run with a time of 4:43.71, just off his personal best. It was TJ’s first visit to New England’s as an individual. He had been on relay teams in the past, and FA coaches were very proud that this young man earned his entry in the mile run.

“Coach Collins and I are overjoyed by how all the Raiders performed at this, the most prestigious meet most will ever compete in,” Coach McDonald said.

As a side note, the coach mentioned he ran into old friends, the Livingstons, at the meet.

“It is our hope that we can get the athletes from Kennett and Fryeburg together this spring for a meet,” Coach McDonald said. “With Kate Hall from Lake Region leading the nation in the long jump and third in the 55m, its unbelievable the talent we have in the foothills of the White Mountains. If you would like to see high school track and field at its best, attend a meet this spring at Kennett, Fryeburg Academy or Lake Region. I guarantee you will see some very talented athletes.”