Naugatuck posts strong performances at Class L indoor meet

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NEW HAVEN — The Naugatuck boys and girls indoor track teams posted some individual season-best performances at the Class L state meet as several athletes broke into the top ten in events.

Zach Koslosky placed second in the pole (12 feet, 6 inches), and Kylie Neretich finished fourth in the 55 meter hurdles (9.25 seconds) to lead the Greyhounds Feb. 8 at the Floyd Little Athletic Center.

Both athletes represented the Greyhounds at the State Open on Feb. 16.

“Zach did a nice job for us and is seeded 12th in the pole vault (at the State Open),” Naugatuck head coach Ralph Roper said. “Kylie continues to have a great first year at indoors and is seeded 16th in the 55 meter hurdles (at the State Open).”

“We had some personal bests. We also missed the mark on a few events,” Roper added. “All in all, I thought we did a good job with what we had going into the meet.”

Overall, the Naugatuck boys finished 15th with 11 points, while the girls placed 21st with five points. Xavier (64 points) won the boys title, and Windsor (69 points) won the girls championship.

Naugatuck had several strong individual performances.

Allison Murphy put up a personal best time of 3:15.26 to finish sixth in the 1000 meters. Ben Healy took sixth in the long jump (19-10 3/4). Koslosky also placed fifth in the 55 meter hurdles (8.32), and Brianna Soubannarath finished ninth in the pole vault (7 feet) to account for all of the top-ten individual finishes.

“This team has certainly been a pleasure to coach,” Roper said. “They come to practice ready to work and they have given it their all this season.”

The Greyhounds also posted some strong numbers in the relays. The 4×400 boys team broke the 3:40 mark for the first time in six years. The foursome of Healy, Koslosky, Jon Volpe and Bryce Cegielski finished with a personal best time of 3:39.35 to place ninth.

The girls 1600 medley relay squad of Neretich, Alyssa Zarrella, Julia Dudek and Murphy placed seventh (4:40.79), and the 4×800 relay team of Murphy, Evelyn Diaz, Tori Lawson and Lauren Rupsis placed tenth (10:50.03).

“I thought the effort from our relay teams was very encouraging,” Roper said. “It gives us something to look forward to when the spring season comes around in a few weeks.”