Hawks turn in strong showings

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NEW HAVEN — After winning their fifth straight NVL indoor track title, the Woodland girls kept their impressive season going with a solid showing at the state level. While the boys team, coming off a second-place performance at the NVLs, nearly won the 1600 sprint medley relay at the Class S meet.

The Hawks had several top-ten finishers at the girls Class M meet last weekend, another positive mark for a championship season. Woodland finished 15th out of 26 schools.

Sophomore Erika Michie grabbed the best finish for Woodland — fourth in the 300 meters. She also was fifth in the 55 meter dash.

Senior Lisa Thrasher took fifth in the high jump, while classmate Lauren Lombardo was sixth in the long jump.

Woodland girls coach Jeff Lownds pointed to the seniors for their leadership this winter.

“Our seniors Lisa, Lauren, and Ava Capuano, as well as Kailyn Accetura, Clara Drozdowski and Kelsey Mitchell really carried us to this very successful and satisfying season,” Lownds said.

In particular, Lownds said the team’s captains — Capuano, Lombardo and Thrasher — kept the team focused.

“They did an outstanding job of preparing the girls on their quest for a fifth straight NVL indoor track title and a strong showing at the state level,” Lownds said of the captains. “The captains were all state qualifiers in at least one event, as well.”

Other strong performers were juniors Jordan Williams, Sammi Plasky, Gianna Polletta and Erin Machado. Sophomores Emilie Noreika, Christina Hart, Alli Cianciolo and Michie, and freshman Syd Grillo also give the team promise for the future.

“We are very proud of our girls performances this season,” Lownds said.

On the boys side, Tom Smith, Colton Cronin, Sean Mardin and Jeff Giusto placed second overall in the 1600 sprint medley relay with a time of 3:51.96. Coventry won the event with a time of 3:49.20.

That finish for Woodland gave the team eight points and propelled the squad to a 13th place finish overall out of 26 schools.

Giusto took fifth in the 1000 meter run, while Smith was sixth in the 55 meter dash.

After a fast-moving indoor season, the outdoor season is slated to begin in about six weeks.