Hannah Chadwick with LR Coach Mark Snow

Overall, Lake Region varsity indoor track & field coaches Mark Snow and Dana Caron were happy with their athletes’ results at the Class B State Meet championships held last Saturday at Bates College in Lewiston.

“Athletes and teams often do not match their seed times and distances at the meet. Depending on your experience, it can be about improving on your seeded place, making finals, or possibly getting on the podium,” Coach Snow said. “Of course, personal records (PRs) are always nice.”

Devyn Hatch, Nathan Casali, Dawson Smith and Tim Moore ran both LR relays and improved one place on their seeds. Devyn had a great 4x800 leg, improving his personal record by four seconds. Tim had a seasonal best split and Nathan and Dawson both went under 2:20. Their time was a seasonal best by 13 seconds.

Sophia Leighton was seeded 16th and finished 10th. She ran ideal splits, was competitive throughout the race, and narrowly missed her PR. It was a great end to her first indoor season.

Danica Chadwick finished as seeded in her events as did the LR girls’ 4x200 relay team that included Julia Murch, Sophia Leighton, Grace Plummer and Emily Colson.

Hannah Chadwick finished as seeded in the long jump and matched her seasonal best in the high jump.  None of those results made the podium.

The Laker results that did make the podium were dramatic.

• Hannah Chadwick’s first jump of just over 32 feet in the triple jump was probably good enough to make the finals. This allowed her to relax, knowing she had five more jumps to break her school record of 33-feet 10-inches and hopefully surpass 34-feet for the first time indoors. She had jumps of 33’10” and 33’10.75” in Rounds 3 and 4 to solidify her third-place spot. She continued to improve with a school record 34-feet 2-inches on her fifth jump and finally, a 34-feet 6.5-inch jump to land her in second place for the meet.

“Hannah has been locked in during the triple jump competitions the past few weeks. It has been great to work with her on her best event,” Coach Snow said. “I’m so happy she was able to put the school record over 34 feet. Unfortunately, the triple jump is not contested at the New England Championships, so this was her last meet. But, what a great ending!”

• Sam DeSouza had a poor start in the shot put and barely made the final with her toss of 30-feet 10-inches, which put her seventh with three throws remaining. She improved on each throw, but was only in sixth place with one to go. With the support of dozens of teammates and family on hand, Sam took possibly her last high school throw. It landed and the Laker crowd went bonkers. The distance was 34-feet 2.25-inches. The effort earned her third place in Class B and a trip to the New England Championships on March 3. Stay tuned for more results from Sam!