Hawks stacking qualifying times

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BEACON FALLS — The Woodland indoor track and field teams’ list of state qualifiers has grown through its first three meets of the season.

The Hawks have competed at the Wilton Reindeer Relays, Hillhouse Relays and Shoreline Coaches Invitational

On the girls’ side, Erika Michie (55 meter dash), Clara Drozdowski, (1000 meters), Lauren Lombardo (long jump), Jordan Williams (55 hurdles), and the 4×400 relay team of Lisa Thrasher, Erin Machado, Kelsey Mitchell and Drozdowski have posted qualifying times.

“We are also receiving some good performances from Kailyn Accetura and Kelsey Mitchell in distance events, Erin Machado in mid distance, Olivia Cianciolo, Emilie Noreika and Samantha Plasky in pole vault, and Ava Capuano in long jump and hurdles,” Woodland girls head coach Jeff Lownds said.

Lownds also noted some up-and-coming shot put athletes.

“Christina Hart, Brianna Vallejo and Amanda Bernardo who are working hard and improving each week,” he added.

The boys team also has multiple state qualifiers, including the 4×200 relay team of Sean Mardin, Jeff Webster, Greg Fagan and Tom Smith. Individual qualifiers include Jeff Giusto (1,600 meters), Matt Luxeder (600 meters) and Smith (high jump).

“Pole vaulters Craig Starkey, Julio Quintero and Mark Crowley continue to improve, as do Isaiah Miller, Paul Jones, and Matt Giaquinto in distance events,” said Lownds, who also assists Woodland boys indoor head coach Tim Shea.

Smith, Colton Cronin, Fagan, Mardin, Ben Nuss and Jeff Webster are the lead sprinters so far this season, and Keith Bodnar has been consistent in shot put, Lownds added.

Lownds added that Edit Krivca and Brandon Clifford are the team’s top two long jumpers, while Fagan and Smith are the leading high jumpers.

The next opportunity for qualifiers was Friday at the Alpha Owl Meet on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University. After that, the Hawks will participate in the NVL Developmental meet on Jan. 15 at Wesleyan.

“We continue to point our efforts to the NVL championship on the 25th of January, and to qualify as many as possible for the state meets,” Lownds said.