Taback, Sudbey Have Strong Showings In Open And New Englands

Newtown High School outdoor track and field participants Rachel Taback and Lauren Sudbey competed in the State Open and New England Championships last week.

At the Open, on June 8, Taback won the discus throw for the second straight year and was fourth in the discus throw at the 64th New England Interscholastic Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Burlington, VT on June 13. Sudbey, a pole vaulter, tied for fifth at the Open and placed seventh in the New England meet.

Taback, who won Class LL State Championship for the second straight year, also earned All-State honors for the second season in a row. Taback had a throw of 118-04 to earn fourth place in the New England meet and Sudbey cleared 10-03 in the pole vault competition.

Both athletes will continue their areers at the collegiate level next season. Taback will throw at Northeastern University and Sudbey will attend Sacred Heart University.

“Rachel and Lauren have both shown that committment and hard work pay off,” Newtown Coach Doug Russell said.

“They have both managed to maintain high grades and compete in track and field at a high level.”

Russell added that Tabck and Sudbey were 

As the head coach it was easy to name Taback and Sudbey captains of this year's team.

“You are most likely to see each of them working with the younger girls on the team in their respective events and then taking the time to work on their own skills,” the coach said.

 “I will have to say that I will miss them very much, both from what they brought to the team as well as who they were as young student-athletes.”