Andre Rolim.

Rolim sets new state record in 600

By Mike Rubin

As a sophomore, Somerville High boys track star Andre Rolim has emerged as one of the top track stars in the state. On Dec. 28 he set a new state record in the 600 meter race at the Dec. 28 Massachusetts State Track Coaches Holiday tournament at the Reggie Lewis Center.

“He (Rolim) ran a great race, and he’s such a hard worker,” said boys track coach Dave Dickerson. “He trains really hard, and he won the Division 1 state championship as a freshman.”

Also recording a solid performance was Ed Chen, who finished ninth overall with a time of 1:26.95 while Herby LaFortune earned a fourth place finish in the long jump en route to a leap of 42-1.75. John Thomas placed sixth in the high jump, clearing the bar with a height of 6-1.

On the girls side, Nicole Genard delivered a solid performance, recording third in the long jump with a distance of 16-8.25 while finishing second in the hurdles with a time of 8.45. Ashley Murphy also finished sixth in the long jump with leap of 15-9 while Pristine Mei finished in 12th place with a time of 12:48.59 in the two-mile run.