Fucillo makes an early season statement to NEC foes

Jenny Fucillo left no doubt that she will be the girl hurdler to catch in the Northeastern Conference this season after blowing away the field in both hurdles events in the first two meets of the young season.

Fucillo captured the 100 meter high hurdles and the 400 intermediate hurdles against Swampscott and Gloucester, her best time in the former being 16.2 seconds and 67 seconds in the latter, a clocking that is a personal record (PR) and the best in the NEC thus far.

Jenny then for good measure took first place in the long jump in both meets, giving her three first places in both meets.

“Jenny is off to a good start,” said WHS head coach Warren MacPhail in a bit of an understatement.

Fucillo’s fellow captain for the Lady Vikings, Cortney Nolan, also is off to a fast start, as Cortney sped to victory in the 100 meter dash in both meets in times of 13.7 and 13.2 seconds.

Teammate Christina Russo took firsts in both meets in the 200 dash, with her time of 28.2 in the Gloucester meet already qualifying her for the State Meet.

Lauren LoPresti has been another solid performer for Winthrop in the throwing events, garnering first, second, and third places in both meets in the shotput and the discus. Junior Alyssa Moore also has contributed points in the 400.

A talented group of freshmen has proven to be a pleasant surprise for MacPhail in the early going: Julia Wallace in the high jump; Caitlyn Hersey in the two mile; Alyssa Mackey in the long jump, triple jump, and 200 dash; Jordan Griffiths in the 400 and mile; Jessica Dowson in the 400 hurdles and the 800; Gina Giuliano in the triple jump; Nicole O’Brien in the 800; and Makayla McCarthy in the triple jump all have shown that they will be major contributors to the Lady Viking cause this season.

MacPhail and company were scheduled to travel to Beverly Wednesday (yesterday).