DeRoo Sets 1600 Record; Track Teams Running Strong

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s girls’ and boys’ outdoor track and field teams have experienced early-season success, led by Elise DeRoo’s school record-breaking mark in the 1600 meter run. DeRoo, in Monday’s meet at New Milford High School, broke an NHS record that stood since the 1991 State Open. Maureen McGovern had held the record with a run of 5:14. DeRoo finished in 5:12.3 and won first place overall in the quad meet, which included host New Milford, Joel Barlow, and New Fairfield.

DeRoo helped the Nighthawks win first place as a team, as the Hawks narrowly edged out Barlow 76-74 in a matchup that is close year in and year out.

“It always is,” NHS Coach Doug Russell said. “Last year we beat them by one.”

Newtown easily beat New Milford (98-52) and New Fairfield (111-39) to improve to 5-1 this spring. In their season opener at Masuk on April 7, the Hawks defeated Masuk 90.5 to 59.5, toppled Bethel 107-43 and was knocked off by Bunnell 80-70.

DeRoo won first place in the 1600 in the season opening meet with a time of 5:15. After shaving three seconds off her run in the second meet, Russell said all signs point toward DeRoo improving her time again and again as the season unfolds.

Top finishers from the season opener on April 7 are as follows:

3200: Sara Pollock, first place, 12:24; Jen Brill, second, 12:54

4x400 relay: First, 4:23. The team comprises Kelly Sullivan, Emily Lockhart, Ally Modzelowski, and DeRoo.

Long jump: Lauren Sudbey, second, 16-2

Triple jump: Gabby Nastri, third, 31-5.5

Shot put: Rachael Taback, first, 30-2; Katie Condon, second, 28-7.5

Discus: Taback, first, 88-1; Condon, third, 76-3

Pole vault: Emily Korth, first, 9; Sudbey, second, 9

Results from this Monday’s meet at New Milford:

4x100 relay: First, 55.09. The team comprises Meghan Barber, Lockhart, Annie Garrett, and Modzelowski.

100 hurdles: Sarah Grose, first, 17.8

1600: DeRoo, first, 5:12.3 (school record); Mara Scallon, third, 6:04

400: Sullivan, first, 63.9

300 hurdles: Lauren Pettinelli, second, 53.8

800: DeRoo, first, 2:25; Natalie Villa, third, 2:41

200: Barber, third, 29.5

3200: Pollock, first, 12:37; Brill, third, 12:57

High jump: Keegan Frobey, first, 4-10; Sudbey, second, 4-8; Korth, third, 4-8; Garrett, fourth, 4-8

Javelin: Jax VanWaalwijk, third, 88-7

Shot put: Taback, second, 30-5.75

Discus: Taback, first, 94; VanWaalwijk, second. 86-5

Pole vault: Korth, first, 9; Sudbey, second, 9; Becca Castegnar, third, 7

The Newtown girls will host Pomperaug, Weston, and Notre Dame-Fairfield in their third meet of the season, this Monday, April 28, at 4 pm.

The NHS boys improved to 5-1 this season after sweeping their meet against New Milford, Joel Barlow, and host New Fairfield on Tuesday afternoon.

In their first meet, against Bethel, Masuk, and host Bunnell on April 8, the Hawks came out on top against Masuk and Bethel and lost to Bunnell. The Hawks displayed strong performances in the field events. Jamie Goodwick earned first place in pole vault and in the triple jump. Mike Maher and Robbie Phillips were among the top competitors in the high jump — both recorded jumps of 5-6. Alex Bowen and Kevin Bonacci had impressive jumps of 5-4. Connor Sherman won the discus event with a toss of 98. Dave Meyer was first in the 3200 with a run of 10:30 and Ryan Hudock placed second in the 300 hurdles. Newtown’s 4x400 team, comprised of Steve Ashbolt, Matt Saxonmeyer, Hudock, and Kris Kling, won first place with a time of 3:43.

“We had a lot of pleasant surprises,” Assistant Coach Dave Foss said of the start to the season.

This past Tuesday, the Nighthawks picked up where they left off. The Hawks won 114-36 over New Fairfield, 89-61 over Joel Barlow, and 102-48 over New Milford.

Once again, field events propelled the Hawks to victory. Goodwick placed first in the pole vault (10-6), first in the 200 (23.3), second in the triple jump (41-2.5), and second in the 100 (11.4). Cody Cullens also had a big day with a first place finish in the 100 high hurdles (17.8). He was second in the javelin throw (132-8.25), and third in the triple jump (37-0). Hudock won the 300 hurdles (41.7) and anchored the second place 4x400 relay team, also comprising Ashbolt, Kling, and Tony Fragoso (3:37.6). Kevin Bonacci won the javelin (132-8.5) and was fourth in the long jump (17-5). Fragoso also placed second in the 400 with a time of 54.6. Also finishing second in events were Brian Cawley in the 110 hurdles (18.4), Harrison Gillis in the discus (102-11.75), and Andrew Kirner in the shot put (39-7).

Third-place finishers were Hoyt in the 3200 (10:12), Matt Kuruc in the discus (95-7.5), Eric Puffer in the shot (38-11.5), Ryan Cunningham in the javelin (128-0).

The boys’ team returns to action on the road against Pomperaug, Weston and Notre Dame-Fairfield on Tuesday.