Hawk Track Team Members Set Records At Meet

By Anna Hodge

In addition to the Newtown High School boys’ track and field team winning its last regular meet of the season, select members of the team competed in the 44th annual Glenn D. Loucks Games held in White Plains, NY on May 14. This is considered to be one of the largest and most prestigious high school track and field meets held in the country, and is attended by athletes from the U.S., Canada, and Jamaica. The Nighthawks had some school record-setting performances en route to a third-place finish at the meet.

Standout performances from senior thrower John Wlasuk carried the team to its strong finish. Wlasuk took third in the shot put, throwing 54-8.25. He then placed first and set a new school record in both the javelin, with a throw of 187-9, discus with a toss of 172-5.

In addition, Jake Feinstein set a new school record and placed ninth in the 3200 meter run with a time of 9:22.3. The sophomore also contributed to the 4x800 meter relay team’s performance. The relay, consisting of Dieter Gutbrod, Palmer Lintz, Pat Sullivan, and Feinstein, took third in the Tri-State Finals and set a new school record with a time of 8:08.32. 

The Nighthawks won their last-chance-to-qualify-meet two days later, at the Blue and Gold Stadium. The team defeated Stratford, 121-28 and Bunnell, 82.5-65.5.

“We brought our season to an end with team-work and dedication,” Head Coach Dan McIlrath said. “We are doing what we need to in order to be competitive in the [South-West Conference] championship meet.”

Some NHS athletes qualified for the SWC meet on this dreary day. Senior Kyle Gallatin qualified for championships in the 200 meter run, and sophomores Paul Mangiafico and Mitchell Russo qualified in the 3200 meter run.

McIlrath emphasized the performance of Russo. “He has worked extremely hard all season to come back from last year and step up to qualify this season,” said McIlrath, adding that Russo qualified in a “rather interesting fashion.”

“The 3200 meter race was an all Newtown show, since there were only Newtown runners competing in it. Early in the race, the Newtown pack was running tight and Mitchell Russo hit the track hard. He bounced right off the track and worked his way back to the pack,” McIlrath stated. Russo’s teammates, Feinstein and Austin Baldour helped pace Mangiafico and Russo to their qualifying times.

“We’re coming together as a team to help each other to be the best track and field athletes we can be to reach our goals and we’re just qualifying on our way there,” McIlrath said.

The NHS boys’ and girls’ teams will compete in the SWC championships on Monday, May 23 at Bethel High School. The girls’ team had its regular season finale at Bunnell in Stratford postponed by rain on Tuesday. The team was scheduled to compete on Thursday (after The Bee went to press).