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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024 Page 9 Revere girls track team back and ready to defend the GBL title By Dom Nicastro T hey’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 fi fth 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 fi ve 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 4x200 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 eff ective 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 infl uence 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 midSPORTS | SEE Page 20 If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us!          BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Call or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines     • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! TONY BARTOLO Owner 46 Years Let Us Handle Your Next Insurance Claim. Go With the BEST It Doesn’t Get BETTER! RENTAL CARS Available distance events, including Oliva Rupp, who is coming off a stellar cross-country season. The mid-distance girls under the leadership of Hiba will

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