Revere girls track team back and ready to defend the GBL title

By Dom Nicastro

They’re back. And ready to defend. Racquel MacDonald-Ciambelli returns as head coach of the Revere girls track team after leading the Patriots to a 7-0 mark and GBL title.

We caught up with the coach for a Q&A:

  Advocate: How many years have you been coaching this team?

  MacDonald-Ciambelli: This will be my fifth year as head coach of the girls track teams. Before I was head coach, I spent three years as an assistant coach. This year we also have added assistant coach Noelle MacDonald and volunteer strength coach Dr. Maggie Mullins. Former RHS Coach Samnang Ros also volunteers throughout the season as well!

  Advocate: What was last year’s record and placement in the conference?

  MacDonald-Ciambelli: Last year these girls were undefeated in the GBL going 7-0. They were also the GBL League Meet Champs. We also saw five school records broken in the indoor season last year, 11 GBL All-Stars and the GBL Track Athlete of the Year (Liv Yuong).

  Advocate: How is participation this year vs. last, and how many sub-varsity levels will you have?

MacDonald-Ciambelli: This year we have a total of 68 girls on our roster, which is the largest I have seen the team in years. We have a great mix of returners who can lead the way and some new fresh faces eager to make a name for themselves. Varsity and JV runners are determined each meet based on the top three runners, jumpers, throwers. It can alternate every week, which is what I love about track.

  Advocate: If you’ve named them, who are the captains and what do they each bring to the team?

  MacDonald-Ciambelli:

• Ashley Cabrera Rodriguez: Sprint captain. Absolutely incredible and versatile sprinter who holds two individual school records and two as a member of the 4×200 team. A vocal leader who can easily get the girls hyped up!
• Liv Yuong: Hurdles and jumps captain. One of the most talented girls I’ve ever coached. Two individual school records and one as a member of a relay team. Former GBL Athlete of the Year. Liv is a great motivator and is always willing to help our newer athletes in two of our most technical events (hurdles and high jump).
• Hiba El Bzyouy: Mid distance captain. Member of the DMR school record team. Super consistent in the 1,000-meter race and constantly uplifting her teammates. One of the kindest young adults you will ever meet!
• Daniela Santana Baez: Distance captain. One of the most improved athletes I’ve had the pleasure of coaching. Her two-mile time has dropped almost three minutes since her freshman year. She is a force during workouts and brings such a positive attitude to the whole team.
• Francoise Kodjo: Throws captain. Member of the shotput relay school record team. I really consider her our “throws coach” right now. She is always looking up more effective drills and techniques to better our throwers. Our resident Tik Tokker as well.
• Ava Cassinello: Super dedicated four-year track runner who is always engaging her teammates and brings a positive attitude even in the toughest workouts!
• Manal Hazimeh: Another four-year track runner who is such a positive influence on all of our young runners. Can always trust her to keep our paces strong in workouts and try out any new event I throw her in at the last second haha!

  Advocate: What can be a strength of the team this year?

MacDonald-Ciambelli: This year we continue to be strong in the hurdles and jumps. We have two of the best high jumpers and hurdlers in the league. Liv Yuong, Ashley Cabrera and Gemma Stamatopoulos will continue to dominate in these areas across the GBL. We also have some excellent returners in the distance and mid-distance events, including Oliva Rupp, who is coming off a stellar cross-country season. The mid-distance girls under the leadership of Hiba will continue to bring the heat versus all of our GBL opponents.

  Advocate: What is an area that will need to see some growth?

MacDonald-Ciambelli: As the only team in the GBL without a designated coach in this area, we consistently struggle in the shotput. However, we have been focusing a lot on strength training in preseason to help in this area, thanks to our volunteer Coach Maggie Mullins. With Maggie’s strength guidance and Francoise’s focus on technique sharing, I am confident that we will see some impressive PRs in the shot this year.

  Advocate: How is the league shaping up?

  MacDonald-Ciambelli: The GBL is always a super competitive league. Medford and Somerville have strong distance runners. Everett and Chelsea have really strong throwers. It’s always a great matchup out on the track.