RMHS track teams shine at MIAA Division 3 State Indoor Championships
Boys win state title; girls place sixth with multiple podium finishes for both teams
(5-6 minute read)
Reading boys indoor track and field celebrate the Division III state championship. Photo by Peyton Doyle on the MassLive website.
Both the boys’ and girls’ indoor track teams from Reading Memorial High School delivered standout performances at the MIAA Division 3 State Indoor Track and Field Championships on Thursday, February 12, 2026, with the boys capturing the state title and the girls earning a sixth-place finish in a deep, competitive field.
The meet featured top athletes from across Massachusetts, with Reading athletes scoring across sprints, distance events, relays, hurdles, and field events.
Boys’ team wins Division 3 State Championship
The RMHS boys’ team scored 55 total points to secure the Division 3 State Championship, fueled by dominant sprint performances, strong distance finishes, and key relay contributions.
Senior captain Ryan Pulpi accounted for 22.5 of the team’s 55 points and delivered one of the most remarkable performances of the meet.
Ryan Pulpi sets all-time state record in 300m
Pulpi placed first in two individual events and contributed to winning a relay:
55-meter dash - 1st place, 6.40 seconds - 10 points
300-meter dash - 1st place, 33.39 seconds - 10 points
4x400-meter relay - 1st place (anchor leg) - 2.5 relay points credited
His 33.39-second performance in the 300 m established a new all-time Massachusetts indoor state record, breaking the previous all-time mark of 33.94 seconds set in 2025, and also surpassing the prior Division 3 record of 34.30 seconds set in 2014.
Coach Dan Princic praised both the performance and Pulpi’s leadership:
“Ryan Pulpi is an incredible athlete and a wonderful role model for his peers. He’s so humble and unassuming - he lets his feet do all of the talking and gives credit to his teammates and coaches. Our younger athletes see how he prepares, how he competes, and how he carries himself, and that sets the standard for the whole team.”
Princic said Pulpi’s example, combined with strong leadership across the roster, helped power the team’s championship performance. He added that the team’s success reflects a season-long focus on steady improvement:
“Throughout the year, we’ve focused on the importance of doing things right and taking little steps to get just a little bit better each day. I’m so proud of these boys and what they’ve accomplished as a team.”
Princic also described how Pulpi’s contrast between his low-key demeanor and elite performance level:
“I joke that he’s like Clark Kent - most people who see him at school or before a meet would have no idea that he’s Superman on the track, a national-class athlete, currently ranked among the top 300-meter runners in the country.”
Additional boys’ scoring performances
Reading scored across multiple events:
2-mile run - Andrew Princic (junior), 2nd, 9:52.88 - 8 points
1-mile run - Max King (junior), 5th, 4:34.65 - 4 points
600-meter run - Cameron Gigler (senior), 6th, 1:25.46 - 3 points
Long jump - Michael Caraco (junior), 5th, 20’ 7” - 4 points
Relay scoring was also critical:
4x200-meter relay - 3rd, 1:33.78 - 6 points
Michael Caraco, Matthew Dougherty, Jamison Bentley, Zalen Puff
4x400-meter relay - 1st, 3:27.41 - 10 points
Cameron Gigler, Jack Millerick, Owen Sinclair, Ryan Pulpi
Girls’ 4×200m relay team celebrates on the podium after earning a third place finish at the MIAA Division 3 State Indoor Championships. Photo provided by Coach Nancy Madden.
Coach Princic notes that Reading qualified athletes in all but one event and credited program-wide leadership and tradition, pointing to the legacy built by past coaches and championship teams.
Girls’ team places sixth overall
The RMHS girls' team scored 27 points to finish 6th overall, with scoring spread across hurdles, sprints, relays, and long jump. Coaches reported numerous personal best and season-best performances.
Coach Nancy Madden said she was pleased with the team’s showing:
A total of 17 Reading athletes qualified and competed at the championship meet out of a 72-member team roster.
“I was very happy with all the girls’ performances and there were many personal bests... I am so proud of each and every one of them and their dedication and commitment to the RMHS Track program.”
Girls’ event highlights
55-meter hurdles - Isabelle Lightbody (senior), 3rd, 8.73 - 6 points [personal best performance]
55-meter dash - Kamryn Encarnacao (senior), 6th, 7.37 - 3 points [season best]
300-meter dash - Kamryn Encarnacao, 5th, 41.76 - 4 points [season best]
Long jump - Annabelle Repucci (sophomore), 4th, 16’ 11 1/2” - 5 points [personal best]
Long Jump - Isabelle Lightbody, 6th, 16’ 6” - 3 points [personal best]
Relay team:
4x200-meter relay - 3rd, 1:47.95 - 6 points [season best]
Isabelle Lightbody, Samantha Lake, Rachel Grady, and Kamryn Encarnacao
Additional highlights included a hurdles personal best from Rachel Grady and a strong personal best in the 600m from Tessa Rock.
Athletic Director praises team results
RMHS Athletic Director Thomas Zaya commended both programs’ results and the leadership shown by student-athletes:
“At the MIAA Division 3 Indoor Track Meet, RMHS teams faired exceptionally well. The girls team scored 27 points to achieve a sixth place finish out of 30 teams that scored. On the boys side, the Reading Boys Team came in first place and won the division 3 states... Ryan Pulpi is a leader on the track team and in the hallways of Reading Memorial High School. We are so proud of his performance on the track and his hard work and dedication paid off.”
