Girls track and field: Who was the best-ever high school athlete in Greater Fall River?
In the course of our Herald News All-Time Top 10 project, we've had multiple athletes make multiple lists. But now, as we approach the end of the series, we have our first athlete to be selected No.1 for a second time.
Sheela Agrawal, the extraordinary distance (and middle distance) runner from Case High School, our No.1 in girls' cross-country last fall, returns as No. 1 for girls' track and field. There were certainly other legitimate contenders for No. 1, athletes whose event resumes were more diversified than Agrawal's. But she wasn't just good — or really good, or really really good — at her running; she's legendary in the Bay State.
That said, this list also includes amazing throwers and sprinter and jumpers . And as always, feel free to share your own opinions on any of these athletes or mention someone else you think should have been on the list. The best avenue for opinion expression is under this story's posting on Facebook's HNNow.
No. 1
SHEELA AGRAWAL, Joseph Case High School
Class of 1999
Since the Massachusetts State Track & Field Association did such a fine job summarizing Agrawal's career in its hall of fame, we present that tribute, in quotes.
“Agrawal a 1999 graduate of Joseph Case High School in Swansea Ma. As a Junior Agrawal won the New England Championships in the 2 Mile run clocking in at 10:39. As a senior, she won the prestigious Dartmouth Relays in the Mile. Her time of 4:59.4 was the fastest female indoor time in the country. Her time also qualified her for the Millrose Games in Madison Square Garden. Her accomplishments also include a second place finish in the Indoor National Championships in the mile. She also competed in the Outdoor national Championships and finished 2nd place in both the 1Mile and 2 Mile. By the time Sheela graduated she would hold the state record in the 1 mile with a time of 4:46.0 and the 2 mile with a time of 10:19.0 At the end of her stellar high school career, she earned a scholarship to Duke University where she would continue to perform at the highest level.”
Agrawal owns Case school records in the 1,000 meters (3:05.07), 2 miles indoor (10:55.07), 800 meters (2:14.00), mile (4:46.22), and 2 miles outdoor (10:18).The rest of the top 10, in no particular order.
SHAKIRA CADET, Durfee High School
From the Class of 2023, Cadet combined her talent and work ethic to become a marvelous all-around track and field athlete. In her recently completed senior year, she was first in the triple jump (37-9), third in long jump (17-8) and sixth 100 meters (12.9) at the state D1 championships. Next, at the All State meet, she placed third in the long jump (17-11.25) and fifth in the triple jump. She owns six school individual records. As a junior, she competed in the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in the long jump (17th, 18-5.25).
BETHANY BARRAR, Somerset Berkley Regional
From the Class of 2010, Barrar was a monster in the javelin throw. As a sophomore, she threw 111 feet, 7.75 inches. As a junior, she cranked a 134-8. And as a senior, at the Eastern Massachusetts Division 3 Championships, she let fly with a meet record throw of an even 136 feet for first place. Barrar was also a fine sprinter, as well as a high-scoring field hockey forward.
MARY KATE MARCHAND, Somerset High School
From the Class of 1998, the three-time New England champion still reigns as the area's queen of shot putting. She won the New England outdoor championship in her junior and senior years and New England indoor her senior year. Her throw of 44 feet, 2.5 inches indoor in her junior year still qualifies Marchand as New England high school's 12th best indoor thrower all time.
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CARA McDERMOTT, Bishop Connolly High School
From the Class of 1991, McDermott (soccer, basketball too) is arguably Connolly's all-time best female athlete. In track and field, she was a record-setting state heptathlon champion in her senior year after finishing ninth one year earlier. Her 4,229 point total broke the state record by more than 100 points. Connolly in 1991 won the Eastern Athletic Conference championship when, in the final meet, McDermott defeated the previously top girls in the league in both the 100 and 200 meters.
JESSICA GOLDEN, Durfee High School
From the Class of 1990, the tall and athletic Golden set five school records, including for the pentathlon and heptathlon. A superb hurdler, she was also very versatile, competing and placing in 12 of the sport's 16 events as a senior. Among her school records were 2,867 points in the pentathlon, 49.0 in the 300 hurdles and 15.7 in the 100 hurdles. She qualified for the New Englands in the 100 hurdles senior year. In the 1989 state pentathlon, she placed sixth out of 110 athletes with 2,867 points.
SHAINA PETIT, Somerset High School
From the Class of 2007, Petit set school individual records in the 55 meters, 300 meters, 50 yards, long jump, 100 meters, discus, hammer throw and pentathlon sand was part of the school-record-setting 4x200. Three times she qualified for the New England Championships (100 & discus, junior; discus, senior) and she was third All State in the discus senior year. Petit competed in track and field for three years at Northeastern University and then turned to competitive weightlifting.
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MARTHA BROUGH, Somerset High School
From the Class of 1977, Brough was on on the school’s first indoor track team, as well as the outdoor track team, competing in the 100, discus, high jump and 400 relay. She finished second in the state in both the 100 and the discus and won the Girls Senior Division Superstar Competition in 1976 and ’77.
RACHEL SMITH, Somerset High School
From the Class of 2003, Smith is now another of our two-time top 10ers, having made the volleyball list last fall. In outdoor track and field, Smith was a versatile, point-scoring machine who, as a senior, won the Class C 300-meter hurdles and then captured the state heptathlon title. She also helped the Raiders to the heptathlon team state title, joining forces with Brit Pierce and Siobhan Minor.
NICOLE CASTONGUAY, Somerset High School
While we've had multiple athletes make the lists in multiple sports, Castonguay's the first to appear on two lists in one season. Already a softball top 10er, Castonguay comes right back here in the combined spring and winter track & field. Castonguay was quite the thrower and runner indoors. In 1995, she won the state indoor shot put title and took second place in New England. She threw a then school record 38-5.5.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: The best-ever girls track & field athletes from Greater Fall River
