Seekonk Boys' Track Team Places Fifth in State Meet

The Seekonk High School boys' track team has had a strong season thus far, and they contend that it could have been better. "It's been a great season so far," said coach Matthew McCartin. "We were a much better team than our 5-3 record would indicate."

McCartin's team lost early in the year to Dighton-Rehoboth. The coach and some of his athletes contend that if the rivalry meet had come later in the season, it might have been a different story.

Then the team went on a long winning streak, which ended in a six point loss to Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech in early May. "The meet ended up coming down to the relays at the end and they had more left than we did," said McCartin of the tough loss.

The third and final loss of the season came to Old Rochester on Monday. None of the seniors were available because of the senior class trip, so that meet, too, may have come to a different result.

Then 5-3, Seekonk looked forward to the division IV state championship meet where 11 athletes from Seekonk competed on Friday. " I am very excited to see how our guys do. I have all the confidence in the world that they will all perform well," said McCartin on Thursday.

The Seekonk boys team ultimately finished fifth in the meet. Archambault placed third in the second mile; Teixeira placed fifth in the 100 hurdles and first in the 400 hurdles. Jake Lyman finished fifth in the javeline. The Seekonk girls team finished in 16th place, just barely above the middle of the pack.

Seekonk was led by Jacob Teixeira, the winner of the 110 and 400 meter hurdles in the South Coast Conference meet. Teixeira is seeded fifth in the 110 and first in the 400 for the states. Teixeira's coach anticipated big things coming on Friday, "With the confidence he is running with I truly believe he will be the state champion when it is all said and done," said McCartin.

Nate Robitaille is another strong performer for Seekonk. As a sophomore, 15-year-old Robitaille is holding his own with athletes two and three years his senior.The Seekonk boys team ultimately finished fifth in the meet. Archambault placed third in the second mile; Teixeira placed fifth in the 100 hurdles and first in the 400 hurdles. Jake Lyman finished fifth in the javeline. The Seekonk girls team finished in 16th place, just barely above the middle of the pack.

Jake Lyman, who sports fans will remember for his work as the starting quarterback for Seekonk football, throws more than just the pigskin. Lyman is seeded second in javelin for the upcoming state meet, and the first seed has only about a three foot lead on Lyman. "He has a legitimate shot of winning," said McCartin.

With Cody Archambault leading a groups of talented runners, Seekonk is on the cusp of contending for a title. "I'm not sure we have enough depth to win a division IV title, but we will see," said a confident McCartin on Thursday.