Snapshots: Hopes run high for Newton South indoor track

NSHS Indoor Track, 12/13/2025

Maria Ferreira (center) leads her heat during the 55-meter dash. Ferreira was Newton South’s fastest sprinter on the day, clocking a time of 7.79 seconds. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Newton South’s 2025-26 indoor track season is off and running, with many of the school’s sprinters, leapers and throwers putting up strong results in the first meet of the season, held at the Track at New Balance on Saturday, December 13.

On the boys’ side, seniors Nolan Harris and Gavin MacDonald finished second and third, respectively, in the mile run. Later in the meet, Harris went on to place first in the two-mile race. Junior Luke Xerras placed second in the high jump, and junior Abel Edmundson finished fifth in long jump, earning a personal record.

In the girls’ competition, sophomore Natalia Camacho-Diaz won the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 9.97 seconds. Senior Emily Frawley came in third in the one-mile race, junior Isabelle Monaghan earned second in the two-mile run, and junior Riley Cabrera took home first place in the shot put.

Last year, South set a high bar for achievement: the girls’ team placed first in the Dual County League, while the boys’ team came in second.

Featuring talent in a variety of disciplines, “I think we have a good shot to win the DCL championship [again],” says James Vance, the first-year head coach of the girls’ team.

Here are some photos from both:

Newton South’s Owen Jung (left) and Eric Sternlof (center) compete in the boys 55-meter hurdles event. Sternlof finished 4th overall; Jung took 5th. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

At the first track meet of the indoor season, Newton South’s Nolan Harris ran a 4:32 in the mile event, placing him second out of 40 competitors. Harris was South’s top cross-country runner in the fall season. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Newton South’s Izzy Monaghan is a blur as she competes in the girls two-mile race at the Track at New Balance in Brighton, Massachusetts, on December 13, 2025. Monaghan would finish the race in second place. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Newton South’s Izzy Monaghan competes in the girls two-mile race at the Track at New Balance in Brighton, Massachusetts, on December 13, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Newton South’s Natalia Camacho-Diaz posted a meet-best time of 9.97 seconds in the girls 55-meter hurdles event. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

James Vance is in his first season as head coach of the Newton South girls indoor track team. A 2007 graduate of NSHS, Vance ran under longtime coach Steve McChesney and spent the past few years as an assistant coach. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Newton South’s Izzy Monaghan competes in the girls 2-mile race at the Track at New Balance in Brighton, Massachusetts, on December 13, 2025. Monaghan would finish the race in second place. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Newton South’s Luke Xerras gives his all during the boys 55-meter dash at the Track at New Balance in Brighton, Massachusetts, on December 13, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Isla McCarthy runs the 55-meter dash at the Track at New Balance in Brighton, Massachusetts, on December 13, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

The start of the boys mile race is shown through a fisheye lens at the Track at New Balance in Brighton, Massachusetts, on December 13, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Newton South’s Nico Acquavella flies through the air during the long jump event at the Track at New Balance in Brighton, Massachusetts, on December 13, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Newton South’s Harvey Chen prepares to launch the shot put during an indoor track meet at the Track at New Balance in Brighton, Massachusetts, on December 13, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Newton South’s Nolan Harris runs the mile during a meet at the Track at New Balance in Brighton, Massachusetts, on December 13, 2025. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

After finishing third overall in the mile, Newton South’s Gavin MacDonald waited by the track’s exit to congratulate all of his fellow runners. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon