Thea Jackson placed first in three events and the Mt. Hope girls indoor track team placed second in the Dwyer Division with a team score of 94 points during the division championships at the Providence Career and Technical Academy on Saturday. St. Raphael Academy won the division with a score of 125.5.

“I’ve never been more proud,” said head coach Renae Cicchinelli. “They really rallied this evening. Our team wasn’t complete going into the meet and some of the events didn’t go our way, but the girls were able to overcome their disappointments and keep their head about them and continue to fight. They showed they were true champions. So many set personal and season bests.”

Jackson, a sophomore speedster, was phenomenal, winning the 55 meter run with a blazing time of 7.39 seconds, the 55 meter hurdles with a personal best time of 9.3 seconds and the long jump with a leap of 16 feet, 6 inches.

“Thea is a competitor and has the instinct of a champion,” Coach Cicchinelli said. “One of her earlier events didn’t go as expected and she was able to keep her head about her and salvage what she could. She composed herself, moved past it and came out with three top finishes. I don’t know too many young athletes that can do that.”

Deal places second in the 3000, 1500, fourth in the 1000

Sophomore distance runner Jessica Deal placed second in the 3000 meter run with a time of 10:36.12, just .56 seconds behind winner Rory Sullivan, a senior at St. Raphael Academy. Deal placed second in the 1500 meter run with a time of  5:11.41 and placed fourth in the 1000 meter run with a personal best time of 3:17.80.

“Jess had an outstanding night and left everything she had out on the track,” said Coach Cicchinelli.

Rocha, Rezendes and Goglia also finish strong

Senior Kali Rocha placed second in the high jump with a bound of 4 feet, 10 inches. The co-captain also placed second in the high jump with a leap of 4 feet, 10 inches. Rocha placed fourth in the long jump with a leap of 14 feet, 9.5 inches. Hannah Rezendes, a senior co-captain placed fourth in the 55 meter dash with a time of 7.90 seconds.

“Our captains Kali and Hannah led the team by showing their courage and ability to persevere,” Coach Cicchenelli said.

Freshman Emma Goglia placed third in the 300 meter dash with a personal best time of 45.21. Goglia ran a great qualifying heat in the 55 meter hurdles, but was disqualified in the finals for pushing a hurdle.

Lilliana Redman placed seventh in the long jump with a jump of 14 feet, 5 inches.

Relay teams run well

The Huskies’ relay teams also ran strong and earned points towards the team’s second place finish. The 4x800 relay team of Sarah Bissonnette, Chloe Carreiro, Avery Walsh and Haley McCormick, placed fourth with a time of 12:35.79. The 4x200 relay team of Hannah Rezendes, Lilliana Redman, Thea Jackson and Emma Goglia, placed fifth with a time of 1:57.03 and the 4x400 meter relay team of Sarah Bissonnette, Hannah Rezendes, Emma Goglia and Lilliana Redman, placed fifth with a time of 4:47.42.