Newtown High School Track Teams Piling Up Wins

By Andy Hutchison

The Newtown High School boys’ and girls’ track and field teams continue to show off their speed, stamina, strength, and agility as the season unfolds. The boys’ squad improved to 11-1 following a sweep of Immaculate, Oxford, and Stratford in Tuesday’s meet. The girls, meanwhile, stand at 9-3 overall and distance runner Elise DeRoo broke her own 1600 meter record — twice, in fact — in a pair of meets this past week.

Before their most recent wins on Tuesday, the boys earned a sweep of South-West Conference rivals Weston, Pomperaug, and Notre Dame-Fairfield in a May 1 meet at Pomperaug’s track. The team highlight of the season came when the Nighthawks came from behind to defeat always-tough Weston 76-74. NHS trailed by 14 points with six events remaining and was behind by 12 points with four events left before coming back.

A one-two finish in the 3200 meter event by Kevin Hoyt (10:15) and David Meyer (10:22) sparked the Nighthawk turnaround. The Hawks proceeded to earn first- and third-place finishes against Weston in the pole vault as Jaime Goodwick (11-6) and Josh Milas (9-6) led the way. The Hawks earned the top three spots against Weston in the discus throw behind the throws of Harrison Gillis (106 feet), Matt Kuruc (95-11), and Bryan Kilmurray (93-6).

The meet came down to the shot put event and the Nighthawks needed second and third place results against Weston in the shot put to claim first overall. John Wlasuk (38-2.5) and Eric Puffer (37-3) came through with second and third, respectively, to propel the Hawks to the win.

Newtown was strong all around in this meet, as the Hawks toppled Notre Dame-Fairfield 116-34 and defeated Pomperaug 79-71. Cody Cullens and Brian Cawley placed first and second overall, respectively, in the 110 hurdles with times of 18.2 and 18.3. Jaime Goodwick won the 200 in a time of 23.6, captured first in the pole vault (11-6) and tied for first in the 100 in a time of 11.4. Hoyt also was second overall in the 1600 with a time of 4:51.

Ryan Hudock won the 300 hurdles (42.2) and anchored the second place 4x400 relay squad. Kris Kling, Steve Ashbolt, and Jon Toll comprised the rest of the relay team, which finished with a time of 3:37.1. Mike Maher was first overall in the high jump with a leap of 5-6.

On Tuesday, the boys swept Stratford (83-67), Oxford (138-12), and Immaculate (134-16). Goodwick placed first in the pole vault (12) leading a Newtown sweep; Josh Milas and Chris Salvatore tied for second, both clearing 10 feet. Goodwick had a strong all around day. He finished in second place overall in the 100 (11.5), 200 (23.3), and triple jump (39-3). Hudock took first in the 300 hurdles (41.6) and also led off the second place 4x100 team, which also comprised Kevin Bonacci, Evan Barreto, and Maher (46.3). Hudock also anchored the winning 4x400 team, which included Ashbolt, Kling, and Toll.

Maher also placed second in the high jump with a jump of 5-8. Kevin Hoyt won the mile in 4:45 and was followed closely by Alex DiNoto (4:57).

The 4x800 team, consisting of Matt Saxonmeyer, Adam Schankman, Kevin Milot, and Tyler Adams, raced to victory. Second-place finishers were Hoyt in the 800 (2:09), Kling in the 400 (54.1), Austin Baldour in the 3200 (11:02), and Puffer in the shot put (37-6). Cullens also took a couple of crucial third places — in the 110 hurdles (17.5) and 300 hurdles (44.6).

Girls Win Easily

The NHS girls had no problems running (and jumping and throwing) their way past Immaculate (139-10), Oxford (114-35), and Stratford (112-37) in Monday’s meet at Bunnell High School’s track.

DeRoo trimmed three seconds off her school record-breaking 1600 meter time in an April 30 home meet, then snipped another two seconds off the time in Monday’s race at Bunnell’s track. She finished in a time of 5:07 and does not show any signs of slowing down. In fact, she hopes to cut another eight seconds, or more, off her time by season’s end.

“I want to be sub-5 by the end of the season when New Englands roll around,” DeRoo said. “I think it’s going to be a challenge, but I’m definitely willing to work hard to get there.

The last regular season meet is this coming Monday, at home against Lauralton Hall. DeRoo will have a few more weeks to slice seconds off her time as the postseason unfolds with conference and state meets before the New England race.

Many of DeRoo’s teammates have had stellar seasons as well. There were many top-three Newtown finishes at Monday’s meet.

The 4x800 relay team, comprising Mara Scallon, Kaitlyn Kakadeles, Andrea Maret, and Natalie Villa, won first place in a time of 10:58. The 4x400 team of Meghan Barbour, Kristen Hudock, Annika Garrett, and Ally Modzelewski won first in a time of 55.16

Hudock was third in the 100 in a time of 13.8. Sarah Grose (18.3) and Garrett (18.32) were second and third, respectively, in the 100 hurdles. Kelley Sullivan was second in the 400 (62.4). Lauren Pettinelli (51.4), Melanie Isola (52.9), and Lilly Rodriquez (53.9) took the top three spots in the 300 hurdles. DeRoo was first in the 800 with a time of 2:25 and Natalie Villa was third, at 2:37. Hudock placed second in the 200 (28.7). Sara Pollock was second in the 3200 (12:36). The 4x400 team of Scallon, Rodriquez, Kakadeles, and Pollock was first in 4:42.

Keegan Frobey was first in the high jump with a jump of 4-10, Lauren Sudbey was runner-up (4-8) and Emily Korth was third (4-6). Sudbey won the long jump (14-5) and Katherine Weiner was second (13-1.5). Harriet Morgan won the triple jump (29-1). Jaclyn VanWaalwijk was third in the javelin throw (79-2). Rachael Taback (28-9) and Sara Phenix (26-1) took first and third in the shot put. Taback (94-6) and VanWaalwijk (73-9) earned the top two spots in the discus throw. Sudbey (9) and Korth (9) were first and second in the pole vault.

Prior to Monday’s win, the Nighthawks hosted their first meet of the season. The meet was held April 30 and was rescheduled from the April 28 rainout. Newtown fell to Weston (83.83-67.16) and Pomperaug (77-73), and defeated Notre Dame-Fairfield (128-20).

In addition to her first-place overall finish in the 1600, DeRoo took first in the 800 in a time of 2:21.5. Frobey was first in the high jump with a jump of five feet and Taback won the discus throw (93-10) and was second in the shot put (30-1). Sudbey was second in the long jump (15-3), Pettinelli placed second in the 300 hurdles (50.4) and Pollock was runner-up in the 3200 (12:07.5).