Seeded fourth in the meet with her 2:57.67 showing at the MIAA All-State Meet, Pietrasiewicz was poised to reach the podium as did Julia Palin ('17) did three years ago in the same race. As the gun went off, she surged to the front pack with four girls, including Shepherd Hill's Emma Sullivan and Billerica's Nicole Anderson. A quick 200m kept the pace honest in the field with Pietrasiewicz nuzzled in on the rail behind the pair as Manchester Essex's Mia Cromwell kicked outside to take over the lead pack. Other than her move and an abundance of runners trying to stick near the front of the race, all was happening accordingly.
With Pietrasiewicz planning to make her move to position after 400m, Anderson took over the lead heading into the straight away at roughly 350m. But in crossing through the 400m mark, two girls tried to get around Pietrasiewicz, one from behind and one on her shoulder. Feet tangled up and Pietrasiewicz went down hard taking down another runner with her.
She hopped back up quickly and fought hard to move back up to the group in hopes to keep the leaders in sight but her momentum was zapped. Struggling in the last two laps, Pietrasiewicz poured her heart into her final steps, nearly collapsing at the line in 3:09.25.
Though not a season's best, she still finished 17th in the field despite the fall and subsequent rally. The collision resulted in deep battle wounds on her right ankle which later required stitches to expedite healing. Nevertheless, it was a valiant effort by the junior in executing mental strength when faced with physical restrictions.
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| Pietrasiewicz and dad, Mike, in good spirits awaiting stitches |
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