Boys Set NHS Track Records

By Anna Hodge

Two Newtown High School athletes broke NHS indoor track records at a South-West Conference Developmental Meet at Newtown Youth Academy on December 28.

Coach Doug Russell said the meet, initially a junior varsity-only competition which was expanded to a JV-varsity meet, was extremely “low key” due to the absence of many athletes who were out of town for winter break. Despite this, there were plenty of strong performers present. Sophomore Jake Feinstein broke the school record for the 1600 meter run, with a time of 4:31.8, also qualifying him for the Class LL State Championships. The previous record holder was Charlie Baldour, who ran the race with a time of 4:34.87 at the 2006 State Open.

Senior John Wlasuk broke the school record in the shot put event, with a throw of 54-3.5, qualifying him for the Class LL Championship. Wlasuk had set the previous school record in the 2010 season, with a throw of 49-11.5 at an SWC Developmental meet at Weston.

There were also SWC and Class LL qualifiers among the hurdlers, sprinters, and girls’ throwers. On the boys’ side, seniors Matt Genovese and Ken Toal were standouts among the sprinters. Genovese ran the 55 meter in a time of 7.1 seconds, and Toal ran the race in a time of 6.9 seconds. Both qualified for SWCs.

On the girls’ side, sophomore Zoe Eggleston qualified for the Class LL Championship in the 55 meter hurdles with a time of 9.9 seconds. Among the throwers, freshman Amy Anyoha qualified for the Class LL Championships in the shot put event with a throw 29-1. Junior Meghan Condon qualified for SWCs with a shot put throw of 26-3.5.

The Nighthawks will compete in their next SWC Developmental meet on Friday, January 7 at 4 pm at Wesleyan University in Middletown.