Feb 05, 2025
In the days leading up to Thursday’s meet – with the program’s first-ever regular-season league title there for the taking – members of the girls indoor track team remained cautiously optimistic.The Dragons knew deep down that if they competed to their potential, as they have all season, they would put themselves in an ideal spot. At the same time, they didn’t want to jinx it or assume anything was a foregone conclusion.As the meet progressed, it became abundantly clear that the Dragons are, by a wide margin, the class of the Patriot-Keenan this year. In a battle of two teams that entered 4-0 in the league, Duxbury cruised to a 73-27 victory over Plymouth North.The Dragons leaned on their firepower, depth and chemistry, as they have all season, to make history at the Reggie Lewis Center.“It was a total team effort,” Duxbury coach Ron Glennon said. “It was depth. It was the thirds and the seconds, not just the firsts, that got us this championship. I’m kind of at a loss for words. I’m just so proud of this group.”When it was over, the Dragons celebrated by singing the fight song and hoisting their fists in the air. The smiles on their faces said it all. This was a triumph years in the making.“It’s just so awesome that we get our year on the banner in the gym,” senior captain Maggie Slimbaugh said. “This team is really, really special.”Perhaps the most wild part is that the Dragons only have four seniors on the roster. Slimbaugh, Kate Rhinesmith, Sarah Strauss and Lily Andersen have all had terrific careers, and will be missed, but this group should still be a powerhouse for years to come. Glennon has taken tremendous pride in building the program into what it is now. He always deflects credit, and highlights the effort of everyone around him, but the Dragons know they wouldn’t be where they are now without his passion, dedication and knowledge. “He’s a great coach,” said Rhinesmith, a captain. “He’s so invested in every single girl, shows up every day and he just loves the sport. There’s no doubt about it. To do it for him means a lot.”It was a total team effort from start to finish, and Duxbury’s relays continued to stand out from the pack to punctuate a stellar showing. Tessa Long, Gabby Fisher, Lili Fisher and Lauren Sutliffe placed first overall in the 4×200 with a time of 1:50.71. Riley Earle, Addie Slimbaugh, Maggie Slimbaugh and Liv Coperine earned first in the 4×400 (4:13.43), beating the field by nearly eight seconds.Coperine took first among all competitors in the 300 with a time of 42.33, Earle was right behind her in third (44.21) and Camden Nelson was seventh (46.22). The sophomore Long set a school record of 9.11 in the 55-meter hurdles, eclipsing Izzy Gooley’s mark of 9.13 and placing second among all competitors.Harper Weekly captured second in the 2-mile (13:05.96), and Strauss was third (3:18.94) and Nora Wien fourth (3:19.22) in the 1000. Sutliffe placed third in long jump (16-00.00) and fourth in the 55-meter dash (7.63), while Gabby Fisher was eighth in the 55 (7.73). Maggie Slimbaugh was fifth overall in both the 600 (1:46.12) and high jump (4-08.00).It’s just crazy,” Andersen said. “I’m so proud of everyone. We put in so much work at practices. Despite the weather, everyone worked so hard indoors, so hard at home. It really pays off.”The boys fell, 63-36, to Plymouth North, finishing the 2-3 in dual meets this season. Jack Rubin took fourth overall in the mile (4:44.83) and Jack Sousa was eighth (4:55.94). Griffin Ruttgers earned sixth among all competitors in the 2-mile (10:39.64) and James Dillon was 10th (10:52.45). Dillon, who also recently broke five minutes in the mile, has made steady strides. He praised the seniors for leading the way.“It’s been a good ride,” Dillon said. “I’ve had Jack and Griffin with me every year. I’m going to miss them a lot.”Ian McNeil placed eighth in the 55-meter dash (6.78), and the 4×200 of Gus Mazanec, Alex Smith, Jamo Meyer and McNeil captured third overall (1:38.20). Freshman Owen Kirsch is showing promise in high jump (seventh, 5-04.00). “The guys showed up,” coach Tony Fisher said. “It wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but it was a great race. I’m happy for the seniors. Jack Rubin, Griffin Ruttgers, those guys really put it all out there today.”Rubin praised his teammates for rising to the occasion and setting personal records all over. He said he’s proud to see everyone’s hard work pay off. As for the evening itself, Rubin said it was “quite a shock” competing in a dual meet at the Reggie for the final time.“It’s a bittersweet moment,” Rubin said. “I’ve spent a lot of time here, whether it’s good or bad, cheering or crying, whatever it was. This place has seen me through it all. It’s sad to say goodbye.”You can find more photos in the sports section.
