Spring sports previews: outdoor track and field

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Naugatuck
2021 results: Boys NVL champs, finished tied as runner-up in Class L state meet, placed 13th at State Open, Girls 5th at NVL championships, 11th in Class L meet.
Graduated: Boys – Justin Carroll, Dan Fine, Jack Fortin, Jacob Hall, Kevin Haly, Radsir Vaughn, Jon Volpe, Ayden Tipp, Jason Spino, Tyler Ruisi. Girls – Tori Lawson, Justine Pierre and Jessica Saint Paul.
Seniors: Boys – Chance Conklin, Tenzin Dhondup, Steven Herb, Cameron Jacobs, Jayshawn Lindsay, Lalo Lopez, Mike Luevano, Gavin McKeon, Matt Nofri, Matt Kilmer, Aiden Robertson, Taylor Trowers. Girls – Kaylee Jackson, Alyssa Jones, Julia Kropo, Allison Murphy, Lennis Abrajan.
Season opener: Naugatuck, Crosby at Holy Cross, April 12.

The Naugatuck boys team is riding the wave of being the NVL champs in 2019 and 2021. There was no season in 2020. The girls team has been steadily moving up the ladder and may have the pieces in place to make the Greyhounds a legitimate threat in the boys and girls championship meet this season.
Coach Ralph Roper and his assistant coaches Jason Sonski, Kevin Schuman and Trey Taylor have been hard at work making sure the team continues to push forward. There is no lack of talent with this years group.
Junior boys Shayne Hasipi and Brendan Lyles, along with girls Lauren Sonski and Ayana Williams, give Naugy credibility to make another run.
Both the boys and girls team won the NVL indoor championship and they don’t appear to be slowing down now that the outdoor season has begun.
“We have all the pieces in place,” said Roper. “But there will be a lot of competition from the other folks so we need to stay committed to what we are trying to accomplish. We have the talent but it won’t come without putting in the hard work.”
– Ken Morse

Woodland
2021 records: girls 11-0; boys 9-2
Postseason: Girls – NVL champions; third place Class M; Boys – NVL runner-up, 10th place in Class M
Graduated: Conrad Filippone, Elijah Johnson, Justin Petta, Nick Santovasi, Jon Schwarz, Noah Scott, Nathaniel Smith, Martin Swercewski, Rebecca Benoit, Abby Colt, Brooke Iannone, Megan Luxeder, Jaden Young
Seniors: Girls – Sara Alessio, Kasey Beard, Kayla Drmic, Polina Guertin, Faith Herren, Siena Liscomb, Isabela Majias, Chloe Poulos, Kim Poulos, Amber Rosato, Juliana Rubino, Olivia Sullivan, Kayleigh Theroux. Boys – Luca Cambra, Carl Cicchetti, Jon Henry, Ryan Hughes, Eric Meade, Thomas Meade, Chase Melisky, Colin Slavin, Sean Swanson, Nate Swercewski, Taha Turshani, Cole Verrelli, Chase Young
Other key athletes: Girls – Isabella Bianchini, Sarah Cooley, Kate Foley, Paige Letourneau, Ava Muharem, Emma Swanson, Ireland Starziski, Boys – Preston Alessio, Sam Ambrocio, Bryce DiGiovanna, Alex Farr, Nick LaChapelle, Ervin Owusu, Kian Sirowich, Christian Morales
First meet: April 5 at Derby and Naugatuck

Last spring, the Woodland girls won their seventh NVL title in the last eight seasons thanks to strong team depth and some standout performers. Top returners for the girls include Chloe Poulos, the league’s defending 3,200-meter champion who will run next year at Siena College, and Sarah Cooley, who won the shot put and discus throws at the league meet.
Woodland may not be the league favorite on the girls side, though, after finishing third to Naugatuck and Watertown at the league indoor meet.
The boys team will seek revenge on Naugy, especially, after narrowly being edged by the Greyhounds at the league indoor championships. Eric Meade will lead Woodland’s group of medal contenders as the league’s defending champ in the 110 hurdles. He also placed among the top five in the jumps, and Colin Slavin is the defending silver medalist in the 3,200.
– Kyle Brennan