Woodland stays on track

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BEACON FALLS — The Woodland boys and girls track teams are keeping up their pace with the finish line of the regular season in sight.

The girls remained perfect and improved to 11-0 with wins over Wilby, 142-8, St. Paul, 144-6, and Kaynor Tech, 105-45, on Tuesday.

“We are still a work in progress,” Woodland girls coach Jeff Lownds said. “There are still some areas where we can improve. If I’m satisfied, then I wouldn’t be a good coach. There is always room for improvement.”

Erika Michie raced to first in the 100 (12.6) and 200 (26.4) for the Hawks. Kristen Persico took first in the javelin (88-2) and won the 3200.

Emilie Noreika won the pole vault (8-0), Stephanie McLean took first in the discus (81-5.5) and Gianna Polletta jumped to first in the long jump (15-0) for the Hawks.

The boys swept the meet, as well, beating Wilby, 141-8, St. Paul, 136-14, and Kaynor Tech, 123-27, to climb to 10-1.

The Hawks ran to victory in all three relays and earned wins in 12 individual events.

Jack LaPerriere picked up wins in the long jump (19-2) and the triple jump (38-7.) Other individual winners included Maciej Lewicki in the 110 hurdles (16.9), Isiah Miller in the 300 hurdles (46.24), Ben Nuss in the 220 (23.3), Mark Crowley in the high jump (5-6) and David Decarolis in the discus (108-8).

The boys’ only loss came last Thursday to undefeated Derby, 85-64. The Hawks ran past Waterbury Career, 106-43, at the meet.

“We have a very diverse coaching staff,” boys coach Bill Ferrare said. “Coach Ambrose works with the throwers, coach Longo works with the mid-distance and distance runners, and coach Lownds and myself work with the sprinters, jumpers and hurdlers.”

It’s no surprise that Woodland is thriving in all of those events. What may push the Hawks to the top of the heap is the success of the relay squads.

“Our 4×400 relay team ran their fastest time of the season,” said Ferrare referring to last week’s meet. “We had athletes not only perform personal bests but also qualify for the states, as well.”

The foursome of Isiah Miller, Crowley, Cedric Benoit and Matt Luxeder raced to a winning time of 3:30 in the 4×400. It was the 4×100 team of LaPerriere, Nuss, Ryan Swanson and Tom Smith that gave the Hawks their second relay win of the meet with an effort of 45.2.

Woodland raced to victory in the 100 with Smith putting up a time of 11.1 and in the 400 with Luxeder coming across the finish line in 52.1. Crowley finished in a tie for first place in the high jump at 5 feet, 6 inches, and Craig Starkey vaulted past the competition to win the pole vault at 11 feet, 6 inches.

The girls picked up the wins over Derby, 96-54, and Waterbury Career, 139-11.

The girls team took two of the three relays to get a leg up on the competition last Thursday. The 4×100 squad of Stephanie Poynton, Sophia Vescera, Karly Laliberte and Julia Accetura raced to victory in 53.8. The 4×400 foursome of Jade Brennan, Polletta, Michie and Megen Sirowich took first in 4:36.

Michie picked up wins in the 100 (12.8) and 200 (26.4), with Jordan Williams taking first in the 100 hurdles at 16.98. Emma Slavin raced to first in the 1600 in 5:49, and Alexandra Cianciolo jumped to first place in the high jump at 4 feet, 4 inches.

Woodland showed its diversity with Noreika winning the pole vault at 8 feet, 6 inches.

The Hawks also took two first-place finishes in the throws. Jasmine Michie threw to a state-qualifying distance of 31 feet, 6.5 inches in her first place shot put effort, and Persico threw the javelin 96 feet and 6. 5 inches to win the event.

“We still have a long way to go,” Lownds said. “You pretty much have to run the table in the regular season if you want a shot at the title. We have a good group of juniors and seniors with experience and we also have a lot of newer athletes stepping up. But I always like to view it as a work in progress.”

The Hawks will hit the road to face Seymour and Wolcott May 9 at Seymour High School.