NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck indoor track team is steadily making strides four meets into the season.
Out of 17 events, the Greyhounds have already qualified for the state meet in 12 events.
“We are making progress,” Naugatuck head coach Ralph Roper said. “It comes down to gaining some experience and some confidence. In the long run that will pay huge dividends as we head into the season-ending championship meets.”
Naugatuck is well stocked this season with senior experience and also has a lot of younger athletes who are making their mark.
The girls team runs only 25 deep but had good results in last week’s Jack Long Invitational at the Hillhouse Athletic Complex in New Haven. Junior Makayla Teixeira placed sixth in the 55 meter hurdles in 9.71, and senior Erin Schofield finished ninth in the shot put at 28 feet, 2 inches.
Seniors Renell Clarence (13th, 300 meters), Kyla Magalhaes (14th, 300 meters), and Lauren Stankiewicz (15th, 1600 meters) all finished in the top 20.
Seniors Nicole Crowley, Christina Caruso and Kaitlyn Reilly along with juniors Briana Lennon, Cindy Stirk and Jessica Komacki give the Greyhounds the experience they need to finish strong this season.
“The girls team is small but we do have some very talented athletes,” Roper said. “We also have a few up-and-coming freshmen and sophomores who are working hard to fill positions we lost to graduation.”
Freshmen Madisyn Guerrera, Loren Quarles, Caitlin Doris and Lauren Rupsis along with sophomores Brianna Soubannarath, Kimani Grey, Alyssa Zarrella and Taylor Sieffer represent some of the up-and-coming athletes who will help to make the Greyhounds competitive.
The Naugatuck boys team goes 55 deep and is one of the largest units that Roper has had in a while. Senior Bailey Mortensen had the best showing at the Jack Long Invitational, finishing fourth in the long jump at 19 feet, 3 ½ inches.
Sophomore Ben Healy finished eighth in the high jump and sophomore Jacob Fazekas placed ninth in the 55 meters and 11th in the 55 hurdles. Junior Aren Seeger ran to fifth in the 600 meters, and senior Tyler Blair took tenth in the shot put.
Andrew Dempsey (12th, long jump), Zachary Koslosky (12th, pole vault), Nick Airall (13th, 55 meters), Ross Via (14th, 3200), Derek Sampaio (16th, 300 meters), Tyler Pollak (17th, shot put), David Kerns (19th, 3200) and Matt Wahl (19th, 55 hurdles) all broke into the top 20.
“We have been busy with four meets since the season opened,” Roper said. “The kids are hitting their mark with 12 events already qualified for the states. But our younger guys are really stepping up and will make an impact by the time the season ends.
“Freshman Charley Marenghi knocked 20 seconds off his time in the mile from one meet to the next. Another couple of promising up-and-coming athletes are freshman Malachi Gattison and sophomore Nick Airall.”
Naugatuck has a stacked senior class, including Jalen Datil, Luis Garces, Dan Oladapo, Rami Ammar, James Clark, Joe Dempsey, Xavier Lewis, Jonathon Linton, Colin Sheedy, Alec Shepard and Darlon Watson, as the Greyhounds are looking to be one of the teams to beat come championship time.
The Greyhounds will compete Friday in the Elm City Relays at the Hillhouse Athletic Complex in New Haven.
