As they lined up in neighboring lanes for the boys’ 55-meter hurdles at Saturday’s MIAA Meet of Champions, Brockton senior Lucas Andrade and Lowell senior Khai Yin could feel each other’s presence looming.
Two weeks ago, Yin tied the indoor state record (7.31 seconds) at the Merrimack Valley league championship meet. Last week, Andrade topped Yin’s record (7.30) when the two squared off at the Division 1 championship meet.
In the latest duel between the two decorated hurdlers, Andrade raised the bar once again.
Despite Andrade and Yin bumping legs twice during the race — once shortly after the opening gun, and the second time at the midway point — Andrade persisted to win in 7.29 seconds, edging Yin (7.31) and topping his own state record by 1-100th of a second.
While Andrade’s mark was the only state record to fall Saturday at the Reggie Lewis Center, it was one of 12 meet records set across the 14 boys’ and girls’ events.
“We just make each other better, just running side by side at every meet and us just one-upping the other,’’ said Andrade, a Rhode Island commit. “As soon as I see [Yin] lining up, I know I have to bring it.’’
The afternoon’s only double-winner was Natick junior Emmanuella Edozien, who set a meet record in the girls’ 55-meter hurdles (8.05) and also claimed the girls’ long jump with a winning mark of 18 feet, 6¼ inches.
Although Edozien’s hurdles time fell short of the state-record time (7.96) she set last week at the Division 1 championships, she still took pride in delivering victories with the added spotlight on her.
“After [breaking the record], it’s definitely added pressure. I know that there’s more people expecting a lot and watching me, but I’m continuing to find a balance,’’ Edozien said.
“I know I have even more coming for me in the next couple weeks [at nationals].’’
The girls’ 600 meters came down to the final straightaway, with Plymouth North senior Macey Shriner (1:30.54) outdueling North Reading senior Giuliana Ligor (1:30.96).
Both runners shattered the meet record of 1:33.69, which stood since 2017.
“I’m doing distance events less lately, and I’ve been doing a lot of stuff in the gym and workouts to help my speed,’’ Shriner said.
“So I think that’s definitely been paying off in races like today, even when I have less experience in the events.’’
In the longest-standing meet record to fall, BC High senior Shamus Larnard rolled to a two-second victory (4:11.09) in the boys’ mile to surpass the mark of 4:13.56, which had stood since 2006.
After Marshfield senior Graham Heinrich, who finished third (4:16.37), pushed the pace early, Larnard took control with three laps to go.
“My plan was just to be reactive.’’ Larnard said
“We didn’t know if someone was going to take it out fast, and Graham took us, so it was very appreciated. I was a little nervous, but I trusted my training and I knew I could hang right with him.’’
Needham junior Greta Hammer came just two seconds shy of breaking a 44-year meet record in the girls’ 2-mile, but still recorded a 13-second win (10:21.48) and topped her personal best by 18 seconds.
Though Hammer’s effort marked the nation’s eighth-best girls’ 2-mile time this winter, she does not plan on competing at indoor nationals and will instead turn her attention to resting for the outdoor campaign.
Other meet records to fall included both the boys’ and girls’ 300-meter races, with Newton North senior Reese Connors claiming the boys’ event (34.36) and Dennis-Yarmouth senior Breanna Braham taking the girls’ race (38.94).
The top four finishers in the boys’ 2-mile all topped the meet record, with Marblehead senior Nathaniel Assa (9:05.30) sneaking past BC High junior Greg McGrath (9:06.54).
Peabody senior Evan Bedard also claimed a meet record in the boys’ long jump (23-01.75).
In addition, New Bedford junior Nialonis Smith set a record in the girls’ weight throw (46-09.00) and Hingham senior Zack Larsen topped the record in the boys’ weight throw (85-02.00).