Boys and girls outdoor track make a run in FCIACs

Molly Keshin, Sports Editor
@mollykCourant

 

Boys 

The boys track team made it well into the postseason, placing 15th  overall in FCIACs. Photo taken from Perannos
The boys track team made it well into the postseason, placing 15th overall in FCIACs. Photo taken from Perannos

For the boys track team, this spring season was all about improvement. While senior co-captains Spencer Lyman, Alex Ellsworth, Jake Morris, and Stephen Singer dominated the winter indoor season, the outdoor stretch was not taken lightly. The boys proved their willingness to compete early in the season, placing fourth at the Loucks Games in the 4×800 relay, with a time of 8:18, nearing the top of the charts in NCHS history.

While some close losses to Warde, McMahon, Ludlow and Westhill throughout the season were tough for the team to swallow, victories over St. Joe’s, Bassick, Harding and Stamford propelled the boys into the postseason. In FCIACs, sophomore Will Conley received the silver medal for discus. Spencer and fellow senior Charlie Hoffman took sixth and seventh place respectively in the 800 meter run, and the team took 15th place with 15 points.

While personally, Alex faced injuries that kept him out for most of the season, he believes that the season for the team as a whole is far from over. “We’ve had some unbelievable improvement from all of the guys on the team, especially the 4×800 relay,” Alex said. “Our performances at FCIACs didn’t quite reflect our team’s strength, but some individuals, such as Spencer Lyman, Charlie Hoffman, and sophomore Michael St. George were outstanding. With the talent that we have, we could potentially reach New Englands or even Nationals.”

 

Girls

This past winter, the girls track team dominated the indoor season, with the 4×800 and 4×200 relay teams

Senior co-captain Casey Manzella qualified in two hurdling events for FCIACs. Photo contributed by Cali Brannan
Senior co-captain Casey Manzella qualified in two hurdling events for FCIACs. Photo contributed by Cali Brannan

placing, as well as many other individuals in field events. For senior co-captains Lily Baer, Emma Rosenstein, Casey Manzella and Corinne Vietorisz, the outdoor season would be no different. With their minds set on improving times and qualifying for FCIACs and States, the girls were able to overcome teams they had lost to in the past, and also narrowed margins in losses to teams that usually dominate the conference, such as Staples. In FCIACs, many goals were accomplished for the members that placed and received medals, such as sophomore Katie Malling, who received a bronze medal for the pole vault, and the 4×800 team which placed 4th. The team as a whole finished in 14th place with 12.5 points.

While the season continues into State Opens for a select few, Corinne feels that the season was a huge success in both victories and mental growth. “With each meet, the girls gained more confidence and improved their skills within their events,”  Corinne said. “We have a young team, so as the season went on, the girls became more experienced and more of us qualified for FCIACs and States as a whole, and I think a lot of that comes from the more intense workouts and conditioning that we’ve done this year.”