H.S. boys' track & field / 2024 preview capsules

Following are the 2024 high school boys' track and field preview capsules:ECCDivision IEast LymeCoach: Chris Morth (1st season) Key returnees: Jr. Callaway Scott (sprints/jumps), Sr. Beck Schultz (distance), Sr. Kai Ritz (distance), Jr. Sean McCauley (distance), Jr. Tom Matlock (throws), Sr. Jacky Lin (jumps), So. Sam Leone (distance), Sr. Matt Leone (hurdles), Jr. Jack Jensen (distance), Sr. Mason Hintze (distance), Sr. Maddox Grillo-Smith (distance), Sr. Finian Gates (distance), So. Adrik Gates (distance), So. Gavin Fant (distance), Jr. Matt Carrier (distance), Jr. Andrew Carrier (distance), Sr. William Chekal (distance), Sr. Nate Bergman (distance), Jr. Jilali Benjdid (distance), Jr. Declan Bee (jumps), Jr. Jacob Scott (sprints), Jr. William Grant (sprints), So. Ivan Butova (distance), Jr. Jaxon Vargas (hurdles), So. Oliver Lopez (jumps), So. Luke Bergman (distance), So. Carmine Bruno (throws), Jr. Ryan Cellemme (sprints), Sr. Liam Kilmer (throws), Sr. Brenden Pennington (throws), So. Topher Regan (sprints).Top newcomers: Fr. Syed Rayaan Asghar, Fr. Justin Belzard, Fr. Karthik Bolineni, Fr. Tom Butler, Jr. Mark Gendron Jr., Sr. Jeremiah Jean, So. Dominic Kuzak, Fr. Tyler Palumbo, Fr. Joey Papalia, Sr. Hayden Torrisi, Fr. Kaden Vargas, So. Jayden Brown, So. Dustin Correia, So. Dyson Cryer, So. Jack Faitsch, So. Jacob Garro, Fr. Kevin Goshaw, Fr. Kyle Miranda, Jr. Ben Quagan, So. Matt Romanowicz, Fr. Jubran Saad, Fr. Nico Scalora, Jr. Adam Sheriff, So. Harrison Thompson, So. Matt Yacovou.Outlook: After a very successful indoor season (ECC Division I champions and runners-up at the Class M state meet), East Lyme returns the bulk of the team for the outdoor campaign, including New England champion Matlock in the shot put (personal best 63 feet, 0.25 inches). With Matlock and McCauley coming off record-setting indoor seasons, as well as the core of a team which won the Class MM state championship in cross country, there's a strong foundation for the Vikings (7-0, 3-0 in 2023) to achieve their goals of winning another ECC title and being in the mix at the state meet.FitchCoach: Rich Kosta (24th season) Key returnees: Sr. Calvin McCoy (sprints), Sr. Adonis Fine (sprints), So. Porter Carter (sprints), Sr. Bernard Drayton (sprints), Sr. Amill Houston (sprints), Sr. Ryan Dunning (distance), Sr. Kaiden Chandler (distance), So. Julien Silva (distance), Sr. Zayshawn Griffin (jumps), Sr. Gianni Colebut (jumps), Sr. Zander Timmerman (jumps), Jr. Jermain Manning (hurdles), Sr. Jeffrey Ward (hurdles, throws), Jr. Caylen Morris (jumps), Sr. Aiden Bordelon (throws), Sr. Roger Coreas (throws, sprints), Sr. Collin Riley (throws).Top newcomers: Sr. Ben Perry (jumps), So. Felipe Dantas (sprints), Jr. Evan Vitagliano (middle Distance), Jr. Jaycen Morris (jumps), Fr. Jacob Smith (sprints, jumps), Fr. Jeslord Abishal (sprints).Outlook: A team full of returning veterans with some very talented newcomers should translate into a very successful outdoor season, according to Kosta. During indoor track, the Falcons got ECC titles from Carter (300 meters), Dunning (1,000), Colebut (high jump), Griffin (long jump) and the 4x180 relay team of Carter, Dantas, Drayton and McCoy. Kosta is looking for improvement in the throws to have a full complement of athletes in all the events, putting them in contention in the ECC and Class MM. Fitch was 4-2 overall, 2-1 in the division last year.NFACoach: Tom Teixeira (8th season) Key returnees: Sr. Mason Holt (throws), Sr. Lucas Cabral (throws-utility), Jr. Chris Amy (throws), So. Mardocher Civil (throws), Jr. Patrick Croughwell (distance), Jr. Kyle Kornacki (distance), Jr. Jesse Croteau (distance), Jr. Robinson Meuse (distance), Sr. Nick DeBartolo (distance), Jr. Oliver Aubin (sprints), Sr. Bryant Beauvil (sprints), Jr. Reese Newson (sprints-pole vault), Jr. Joal Barros (jumps), Sr. Moshea Gittens Brown (hurdles), So. Fernando Flores (hurdles).Top newcomers: Sr. Malachy Murray (sprints-jumps), Sr. Camron Barboza (sprints-jumps), Jr. Jayvon Thompson (sprints), Fr. Jaekil Gonzalez (jumps), Fr. Dimaggio Casanova (sprints-jumps), Fr. Rusean Clahar (sprints), Fr. Magnus King (sprints), So. Mckiel Strong (throws), Fr. Jasiyah Succes (throws), So. Yareli Pierre (throws), Jr. Andre Barakat (throws).Outlook: Last season, the Wildcats (1-3, 1-2) featured their smallest and youngest roster in a decade. This season, with well over 100 participants, the roster size has rebounded nicely from its pandemic lows, according to Teixeira. A strong junior class led by Amy (second in New England to East Lyme's Tom Matlock in the shot put), also features accomplished distance runners Kornacki, Croteau and Croughwell. Gittens Brown, a senior, was a national qualifier in the hurdles over the winter and looks to continue his success. Amy will get assists from an impressive supporting cast of throwers including team leaders Cabral and Holt, as well as Civil, an emerging sophomore. Teixeira is looking for NFA to evolve into a postseason contender as the season unfolds.(Woodstock Academy also competes in Division I.)Division IILedyardCoach: Shania Homiski (2nd season) Key returnees: Sr. Hayden Baber (distance), Sr. Gabriel Huff (distance), Sr. Steven Ives (distance), Sr. Peyton Luther (sprints), Sr. Brady Moorehead (throws, pole vault), Sr. Mateo Viviano (pole vault), Sr. Luca Viviano (pole vault), Sr. Christian Wiltshire (jumps), Jr. Jamel Kearse Jr. (jumps, sprints), Jr. Roan Fothergill (sprints, jumps), Jr. Anthony Adamick (sprints, jumps), So. Diego Rosario-Gonzalez (hurdles).Top newcomers: Sr. Ben Rusczyk (throws), Fr. Latham Fothergill (sprints, jumps), Fr. Greyson Stephenson (distance), Fr. Raymond Grogan (distance).Outlook: Ledyard rolled to the ECC Division II championship during the indoor season with 143 points, more than double the second-place finisher. Leading the way indoors were ECC champs Wiltshire, who tied the meet record at 6-5 in the high jump, Kearse Jr. in the long jump and the Colonels' 4x180 and 4x720 relay teams. Mateo Viviano went on to win the Class M championship in the pole vault with a leap of 14-0. Another area in which Ledyard (6-0, 4-0) excels is the distances, coming off a state championship during cross country season. Homiski said the team's goals are for all athletes to improve, to win the ECC Division II title and to compete at the state championship level.New LondonCoach: Jelani Lucas (1st season) Key returnees: Jr. Tyree Barnes (sprints, jumps), Jr. Antonio Carmona (sprints, jumps), Sr. Kyntrel Dessources (throws, sprints), Jr. Klayphmond Jean (discus, shot put), Jr. Chris Jones (jumps), Sr. Treyvon Lewellen (javelin), Sr. John Mancuso (sprints), Jr. Aiden Morales (middle distance, jumps), Jr. Jack Philistin (javelin).Top newcomers: Jr. Mark Diaz (sprints, long jump), Sr. Gabriel Frommer (distance), Jr. Deandre Leslie (sprints), Sr. Trevin Robledo-Thompson (throws), Fr. Julian Rocket (sprints), Sr. Nasayak Sharp (sprints), So. Kenya Snell (sprints), Fr. Jordan Washington (jumps), Jr. Julius Washington (jumps).Outlook: Lucas, who takes over as head coach, has seen a significant jump in improvement among the Whalers just since the indoor track season ended, he said, and looks forward to additional growth as the season progresses. Leading the way will be a strong junior class. "This team can compete in sprints and jump with just about anyone," Lucas said. "It's going to be fun just being there watching them compete. I want to try and get them their first win as team for the first time in a long time." New London was 0-7 last season, 0-5 in the division.StoningtonCoach: Megan Chapman (1st season) Key returnees: Jr. Landon Pelletier (middle distance), Jr. Brady deCastro (middle distance), Jr. Hagen Drake (sprints), Sr. Cayden Trementozzi (sprints), So. Max DeLaRosa (sprints), Jr. Dylan Bowes (jumps).Top newcomers: Sr. Jackson McCarney (sprints).Outlook: Program giant Josh Mooney, the national champion last season in the 110 hurdles and the two-time state decathlon champion, graduated and is now competing at the Division I level for UConn. The Bears (4-4, 1-3) also change coaches, although Chapman, a Stonington grad, has been on the staff under coach Ben Bowne for some time. Pelletier was the ECC Division II champ indoors in the 600, excelling in the middle distances. Said Chapman: "This year will be really exciting. We are pretty young and are looking forward to seeing tons of PRs and success."WaterfordCoach: Jay Criscuolo (12th season) Key returnees: Sr. Elliot Childs (hurdles), Jr. Titus Olson (distance), So. Brodie Scott (jumps-sprints), Jr. Gabe Lombardi (sprints), Sr. Jon Booth (jumps).Top newcomers: Savien Dillon (throws), Michael Turner (throws-sprints).Outlook: The Lancers (3-2, 2-2) graduated Evan Piotrowski, the ECC Division I 200- and 400-meter champion a year ago. Childs, however, is poised to take over as the league's top hurdler following the graduation of Stonington's Josh Mooney, with Childs finishing as ECC runner-up to Mooney in the 110 and 300 hurdles a year ago. Criscuolo predicts a top-three finish at the ECC meet and top-five finish in Class M.(Bacon Academy also competes in Division II.)Division IIIGriswoldCoach: Cory Tobler (4th season) Key returnees: Sr. Max Brown (middle distance), Jr. Joshua Turner (jumps), Jr. Matthew Perea (throws), Jr. Luke Cassidy (throws), Jr. Jackson Fleming (throws), So. Isaiah Blades (sprints-pole vault), Sr. Aiden Peltier (throws).Top newcomers: Fr. Tycen LaBelle (distance), Fr. Dylan Bailey (distance), Fr. Sean Silva (distance), Fr. Xzavier De La Rosa (distance), Jr. Brenden Hopkins (sprints, jumps), So. Aaden Cutter (sprints-jumps).Outlook: Griswold (6-3, 2-2) graduated three top distance runners in Jackson Collins, Michael Strain and Jacob Strain, who contributed to a cross country state championship during their careers. Tobler said, however, that this year's team has grown in numbers and is looking to be competitive at the Division III-IV championship meet which will be held this season at the Wolverines' new track. LaBelle, a freshman, won the ECC 1,600 meters indoors and came in second in Class S.MontvilleCoach: Steve LaBranche (3rd season) Key returnees: Sr. Jack Brehler (middle distance), Sr. Nicholas James (sprints), Sr. Adonis Santiago (sprints, javelin), Jr. Enzo Valenti (throws), Jr. Brady Bilheimer (sprints, hurdles, javelin), Jr. Noah Keenan (sprints), Jr. Adam Sheridan (hurdles, pole vault), So. Heyward Williams III (sprints, jumps).Top newcomers: Fr. Aveion Adams (sprints), Jr. Jaylon Raphael (sprints), Fr. Cole Malbaurn (utility).Outlook: The experience of Montville's returning athletes will be combined with a number of new faces, providing the Wolves (5-4, 2-2) much-needed depth. "With 50% of the team comprised of newcomers to spring track and field, there is a lot of opportunity to discover more key impact athletes," LaBranche said. The coach expects immediate contributions from several newcomers, including Raphael in the sprints and jumps, and freshmen Adams and Malbaurn. Said LaBranche: "There is a lot of energy at practice and coaches believe all of this will translate to a very competitive season."(Killingly, Plainfield and Windham also compete in Division III.)Division IVLyman MemorialCoach: Brandon Strout (4th season) Key returnees: Sr. Kenyon Morrissette (sprints), Sr. Kyle Franchi (vault, jumps), Jr. Holden LeMay (distance), Jr. Nick Zaprianov (hurdles, middle distance), So. Ethan Apicelli (sprints, jumps), So. Josh Cady (sprints, javelin), So. Brandon Simeone (multiple events).Top newcomers: Sr. Cameron Sammarco (vault, javelin), So. Ethan Adams (throws), Fr. Ethan Otha (throws), Fr. Owen Sehl (hurdles), Fr. Tilden Reinckens (sprints, jumps), Fr. Kellen Johnson (distance), Fr. Jacob Landry (distance), Fr. Sawyer Sanchez (middle distance).Outlook: Morrissette had a great deal of success in the sprints during indoor track, winning the ECC title in the 300 and finishing third in the 55. The Bulldogs 4x180 relay was second indoors in the league meet, with Morrissette, Franchi and Zaprianov running three of the legs. Strout said numbers are up, with many new athletes looking to learn a variety of events throughout the season. Strout credits indoor coach Chantal Fields, "who makes many aspects of the program run smoothly." Lyman was 3-4 overall last year, 2-1 in the division.St. BernardCoach: Erica Massad (3rd season) Key returnees: Sr. Luke Brannegan (jumps), Sr. Colin Britner (distance), Sr. Theodore Burrell (hurdles), Jr. Alexander Acosta (hurdles), Jr. Zane Baton (throws), Jr. Aidan Cass (distance), Jr. Sae'vion Melendez (throws), Jr. Savas Videll (sprints).Top newcomers: Sr. Oakely Garrison (sprints), So. Ty Grudzien (sprints), Fr. Ivan Cadet (sprints), Fr. Khyree Dudley (distance), Fr. Brevin Gonzales (jumps), Fr. Curtis Marshall (jumps), Fr. Troy McKelvin Jr. (jumps), Fr. Rad Tanksley (distance), Fr. Christian Tompkins (jumps, throws), Fr. Ro'Chaun Watkins (sprints).Outlook: Massad said all of the returnees will be "key" because they know what she's looking for and she will be relying on them to help provide guidance for a large number of newcomers. In particular, Britner was the ECC Division II champ indoors in the 1,000 and 3,200 and led the Saints sprint medley relay to a win, as well. Britner (3rd, 1,600) and Burrell (4th, 300 hurdles) were both place-winners in last year's Class S state championship outdoor for the Saints (7-2, 3-0). Said Massad of the upperclassmen: "They know what needs to be done for us to have a successful season like last year."WheelerCoach: Katie McGuire (1st season) Key returnees: Jr. Jack Dowrey (200, 400), Jr. Drew Deary (middle distance), Jr. Tyler Scarchilli (sprints).Top newcomers: Jr. Robert Lorimer (sprints), Sr. Kiyle Montigny (sprints), Sr. Deondre Bransford (throws).Outlook: Wheeler has seven returnees combined between the boys' and girls' track teams and, with a number of new and talented athletes, will be able to compete in more events than ever. Scarchilli was third in the ECC in the 600 indoors. Meanwhile, among those new to the team include Montigny and Bransford, who competed for the Lions during their successful postseason run in boys' basketball.(Putnam and Tourtellotte also compete in Division IV.)OthersGrasso TechCoach: Elizabeth Wallace (7th season) Key returnees: Jr. Amais Thompson (100, 200), Sr. Ryan Waselik (shot put), Sr. Nick Stavesky (800).Top newcomers: Fr. Elijah Virgo (800, 1,600), Fr. Josiah Ator (multiple events), Fr. Joseph Ator (multiple events).Outlook: This will be an inexperienced Eagles team with a number of freshmen, as well as upperclassmen running for the first time. Stavesky is the defending 800-meter champion in the Connecticut Technical Conference and Waselik was second in the CTC in the shot put.Old LymeCoach: Luke Alexandru (1st season) Key returnees: Sr. Eric Dagher (middle distance), Jr. Simon Karpinski (middle distance), So. Ryan Ortoleva (distance), Sr. Jacob Volkerts (sprints), So. Tyler Cann (throws), So. Carson St. Louis (throws, pole vault), So. Trevor Buydos (sprints).Top newcomers: Fr. Patrick Lynch (sprints, jumps), Fr. Skylar Graybill (sprints), Fr. Brody Ziolkovski (sprints).Outlook: Volkerts was one of the smash hits of last year's State Open championship establishing himself as the fastest runner in the state with a win in the 100 meters in 10.64 seconds. Volkerts has signed to compete at the Division I level for the University of Rhode Island. Also joining the Wildcats (5-3) is Lynch, who made a name for himself in the sprints and jumps at the middle school level. "The majority of the boys' indoor team will continue to compete during the outdoor season," Alexandru said, "hoping to use the indoor season as a building block for a successful outdoor track season."WilliamsCoach: Sarah Jennings (1st season) Top newcomers: So. Jadiel Thomas (middle distance).Outlook: Because Thomas has shown a strong interest in running at The Williams School, winning the CISAC championship, finishing fourth in the HVAL and qualifying for New Englands, the school is supporting his efforts by sponsoring a one-person track team. Said Jennings: "We are excited to provide new challenges to Jadiel's running resume." Thomas also played for the school's boys' basketball team.