Greyhounds finding their stride

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NAUGATUCK — A good mix of seasoned veterans and solid up-and-comers has the Naugatuck track team hitting its stride early on.

The boys and girls teams swept a meet with Holy Cross and St. Paul on April 9 to improve to 4-0 and 3-1, respectively.

Zach Koslosky and Ben Healy, who have won three and sometimes four events at meets, have led the boys team.

Against Holy Cross and St. Paul last week, Koslosky won the 100 high hurdles (15.6 seconds), the 300 intermediate hurdles (43.8), the triple jump (38 feet, 8.5 inches) and the pole vault (12 feet). Healy won the 200 meters (22.9), the high jump (5-6) and the long jump (19-1).

The Greyhounds also won three relays to set themselves apart from the competition.

The 4×100 team of Sean Evardo, Paul Marsh, Jeff Schebell and Chris Akindura took first in 46.0. The 4×400 squad of Cameron Jacobs, Jon Volpe, Koslosky and Taylor Trowers won in 3 minutes, 50 seconds, and the 4×800 foursome of Volpe. Matt Nofri, Austin Herb and Sam Daniels finished first in 9:12.

Brendon Soubannarath won the 3200 (11:52), and Volpe took first in the 400 (55.2). Charley Marenghi ran a personal best of 5:06 to finish second in the 1600, and Roper was high on the development of throwers David Green and Isaiah Williams.

“We have some really good athletes in Zach and Ben who can excel in multiple events,” Roper said. “We have some young guys in Taylor and Cameron who are freshmen and are really stepping up for us.”

“Juniors Paul Marsh and Charley Marenghi are giving us personal best, and with throwers Isaiah Williams and David Green, we are closing the gap on our other events,” Roper added.

The girls team is led by a solid group of returning athletes, but the addition of some freshmen has put Naugy at the top of its game.

“We have a triple threat in the hurdles with Kylie Neretich, Alyssa Zarrella and Brianna Soubannarath,” Roper said. “But what has really helped us to improve is the freshmen, Allison Murphy, Lilly Lyons and Kaylee Jackson, who have all contributed to our success.”

Brianna Soubannarath won the high jump (4-2) and the pole vault (7-0) in the meet versus Holy Cross and St. Paul. Jackson won the 1600 (6:19) and 3200 (14:12).

Neretich won the 100 high hurdles (16.9), Zarrella won the 300 intermediate hurdles (51.7), Murphy won the 800 (2:40), Lyons took first in the triple jump (27-2), and Riley Arellano won discus (72-1).

The girls also excelled in the relays.

The 4×800 team of Julia Kropo, Murphy, Tori Lawson and Lauren Rupsis won in 53.9. The 4×100 squad of Kaitlyn Zarrella, Rachel Huculak, Neretich and Paige Cruz captured first in 53.9, and the 4×400 foursome of Cruz, Julia Dudek, Zarrella and Liz Krooss won the event in 4:40.

Naugatuck is scheduled to face Wilby and Kennedy on Friday. The Greyhounds will head to Woodland on April 23 to take on the Hawks and Sacred Heart.