1998 was a great year for girls’ sports at Old Rochester, and the Girls’ Track and Field team was no exception. It was a record breaking year, with new school records set in the shot put and discus (Liz Perry), triple jump (Eryka Vickers), long jump (Margaret Liljedahl), 800m (Monica Vickers), 300m hurdles (Meg Flaherty), and the 4x800m relay (Kaidi Stroud, Alison Rossi, Kathryn Perreira, and Monyca Vickers). After finishing 10-0 in the regular season (9-0 SCC), the team went on to win the South Coast Conference meet, doubling the score of second place Seekonk. Liz Perry (shot put / discus), Margaret Liljedahl (long jump), Eryka Vickers (triple jump), and Meg Flaherty (100 meter hurdles), all remained undefeated during the duel meet season. The girls also won the State Relay Meet, and placed second at the State Class D Meet. Liz Perry, Eryka Vickers, Monyca Vickers, Kaidi Stroud, Margaret Liljedahl, and Meg Flaherty all advanced to the All-State Meet, with Liz Perry and Eryka Vickers advancing to the New England Championship. After the regular season, Meg Flaherty, Meghan Best, and Carla Ferreira teamed up to win the MA State Heptathlon, all finishing in the top 15 individually. Liz Perry and Meg Flaherty went on to qualify for Junior Olympic Nationals, Perry in the shot put and discus and Flaherty in the 100m hurdles and the javelin. Beyond their many accomplishments, what stood out most about this team was their tenacity and perseverance. Above all, they were a team. Throughout the season, both individuals and the team as a whole faced many setbacks, but led by captains Mandy Byers, Becky Okalita, Eryka Vickers, Tiffany Lopes, and Meg Flaherty, each team member rallied in support of the program and the team itself, making 1998 an unforgettable year for girls’ track at Old Rochester.
THE COMPLETE STORY
ARCHIVAL MEDIA
Historical photographs, action images, team photographs and later-life images will be assembled here as verified source material becomes available.
INDUCTION CEREMONY
Vimeo labels this segment “1998 Girls Spring Track Team”; matched to the ORRAHOF 1998 Girls’ Track & Field Team record.
SOURCES & HISTORICAL NOTES
The 2019 plaque biography was checked word for word against the original physical plaque photograph IMG_1948.JPEG. Its induction wording, roster spellings and the printed “duel meet” wording are preserved. The plaque uses “Monica Vickers” in the 800-meter record and “Monyca Vickers” elsewhere.
The approved primary team image comes from the Hall’s manufacturer plaque artwork. The complete 2019 Hall display, IMG_1947.HEIC, is included in the gallery. Originals remain in the Hall archive.
The expanded history draws on the plaque’s undefeated season, SCC and State Relay titles, school records and postseason achievements. The 2019 ceremony recording labels the linked segment “1998 Girls Spring Track Team.”
October 18, 2026: Bill supplied IMG_3028.jpeg / IMG_3029.jpeg from the 1999 yearbook and confirmed that the photograph documents spring 1998, because the yearbook was printed before the 1999 spring season. Primary and team photographs now use a cleaned landscape derivative; original yearbook page with roster retained in the archive.
