Talk about saving your best for last.
In his final high school competition, Erick Duffy not only had a PR performance in the pole vault, but earned a national title, too.
The North Andover senior captured the pole vault at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor (NBNO) Championships with a career best and New England record of 17 feet, 1 inch. It was Duffy's first time over the 17-foot barrier and was six inches higher than his previous best of 16-7, set at the MIAA All State Meet two weeks ago.
Concord Academy's Sam Welsh attained All-American status by placing fifth in the discus with a heave of 186-6. Burlington's Fernando Lamin also earned All-American by taking fifth in the high jump with a leap of 6-8.75.
In the 200m dash, Needham's Davonte Burnett matched his seventh-place finish from the 100m a day earlier with an identical placement in the 200m where he ran 21.86. He clocked 21.57 in his preliminary heat.
In the 400m dash, Burncoat's Rodney Agyare-May clocked 47.72 to finish 13th overall.
Newton South's Clare Martin finished eighth overall in the 800m with a time of 2:09.24.
New England champion Julia Jordahl-Henry of Wellesley was 11th overall in the high jump with a leap of 5-7.
Theo Burba of Newton North was fifth in the Emerging Elite 800m, crossing the line in 1:53.3. Westfield was seventh in the EE 4x400m with a combined time of 3:22.72.
Seekonk's Cameron Garabian tossed a PB of 41-10.5 to place third in the EE girls' shot put.
Natick and Wellesley both placed among the top six in the girls' distance medley relay. Natick finished second overall in 11:56.83. Milton was sixth in 12:06.87.
Hopkinton finished ninth overall in the EE 4x400m with a season best of 3:58.40, the second fastest time in the state this year.
Marshfield was sixth in the boys' event with a combined time of 10:22.87.