Medford'S Berson enjoys breakthrough season with Mustangs girls track

Norah Berson is hitting full stride on the Medford High track.

The fleet-footed junior capped a sensational, record-breaking season with the Mustangs girls track team.  

Berson bolted into the history books as Medford’s all-time leader in the girls 200-meter run. She also played a key cog on two relay record-breakers.

She has demonstrated non-stop hustle and tireless commitment since joining the team her freshman year.

“It went really well,” said Berson, 17. “Honestly, as far as high school track seasons go, this was probably my favorite.”

Few would argue.

Berson rolled to the finish line red hot, breaking a 21-year-old school record in the 200. The 5-foot-2 speedster hit 25.19, placing fifth overall at the MIAA Division 1 Championships. Her effort eclipsed the previous MHS mark of 25.42, which was set by former Olympian Arantxa King at the Hartford Public Outdoor Invitational in 2005.

A Mustang Hall-of-Famer and 2008 Olympian with Bermuda, Arantxa King is the gold standard by which all MHS track athletes are measured. She rose to prominence in the early 2000s, surpassing her superstar big sister Akilah King as the queen of Medford High track. Two decades later, Arantxa still sits highly in the MHS record books, holding unbeatable marks in both the long jump (20.35) and triple jump (42).

Catching up to this legend in the 200 was no small feat, but Berson was up to the task.

“I never really thought I would run anything faster than her,” said Berson, who set a personal best 25.7 opening day and putting things in motion. “Her dad was her teacher at Brooks Elementary School. I remember him talking about bringing her to the Olympics. It’s surreal now breaking her records. When I was younger, I always looked up to her but didn’t really know who she was. I just remember hearing her name.”

Berson was hobbled for much of her sophomore year and was looking to regain her mojo.

“I had shin splints and strained my quad indoors,” said Berson. “I also had some weird allergy problems, which affected my breathing. From my sophomore perspective, I would never have thought I would have broken the 200 record, at least this year. It was my goal though. I’d still love to get under 25 seconds in the 200. In order to do that I’d have had to break 25.4 anyway.”

In addition, Berson was also the anchor of two relay juggernauts. She joined forces with Anycia Pierre, Lina Gomez, and Sydney Coffill. Together the hard-working quartet set new school records in both the 4X100 (49.11) and 4X200 (1:44.46) at the Division 1 State Relays. They were part an ensemble that is gathering serious momentum each passing season.

“We were pretty good,” said Berson. “We didn’t get the GBL Championship, but we had very strong individual competitors. The girls relay team made it all the way to All-States. We had a couple teams, a 4X800 team, a freshman in the 400 [Parker Preisner], a girl in the 2-mile [Isabelle De Douza-Vieira]. We had a lot of individual and relay successes. The team also created a great environment. We’re super supportive of each other.”

According to Medford coach Joe Donlan, Berson is the real deal.

“Norah had a breakthrough year,” said Donlan. “What shift started in the winter has become an unstoppable force.”

A three-year letterman, Berson has been on the run from an early age, competing as a seventh grader at Andrews Middle School. Medford High assistant coach John Murphy spotted her raw talent as a middle coach and teacher. He gave Donlan an early scouting report.

“We knew Norah was a generational type of talent,” said Donlan. “Right from the start, she was beating most of our boy sprinters at practice and in meets. Her first two years, Norah was the star, not just of our team, but of the Greater Boston League as well. It was quite the ride.”

Donlan credits Murphy with helping Berson harness that potential.

“Coach Murphy built the sprint program to the highest it's been in years,” said Donlan. “This past winter our girl sprinters were some of the best in the state. I think it fueled Norah. She saw how good the team was and the opportunities that awaited if she kept on the path. That's exactly where she is now in my eyes.”

As for the future, Berson remains on the move. She’ll enjoy her summer vacation, before rejoining the Medford girls indoor track team this winter. And with many college recruiters adding her name to their wish list, a lot of eyes will be on Medford High track team this year.

“We’re losing a couple of our seniors, which is obviously sad, but we have a bunch of freshman girls who are super strong especially in distance,” said Berson. “I’m excited about next season. I think we are going to do some good things.”