Hawks locking up spots for states

0
46

BEACON FALLS — With less than a month before the NVL championship, the indoor track teams at Woodland continue their sprint-like preparation for the league and state meets.

The short schedule in the winter gives teams few opportunities for coaches to truly find out the progress of their teams. Last week in New Haven gave the Hawks a chance to gauge where they stand.

Both the boys and the girls put up qualifying results for the states at the Hillhouse Relays on Dec. 29. The NVL championships are Jan. 30 in New Haven.

“Our team is progressing nicely and we have had some good performances so far,” Woodland girls head coach Jeff Lownds said.

Last week, Christina Hart and Kristen Persico both qualified in the shot put. Steph McClean has also qualified in the event.

The 4×400 relay team of Erin Machado, Jade Brennan, Erika Michie and Gillian Hotchkiss has also qualified for state competition. Michie and Sophia Vescera have also qualified in the 55 dash.

Jordan Williams and Alli Cianciolo have qualified in the 55 hurdles. Brennan not only qualified in the 4×400 relay, she also reached state level in the 300 meters.

On the boys’ side, Craig Starkey and Mark Crowley qualified in the pole vault. The 4×200 relay squad of Ben Nuss, Matt Mills, Jack LaPerriere and Tom Smith also qualified last week.

Another relay team, the 4×400, of Sean Mardin, Mark Crowley, Cedric Benoit and Matt Luxeder also qualified in New Haven last week. Additionally, Sean Mardin qualified in the long jump.

“We need to continue to improve because there are very good athletes in the NVL,” Lownds said.

The Hawks have also competed in the developmental meets at Glastonbury and the Old Saybrook Qualifier.