Newtown High School’s track and field teams began the season with a visit to New Milford on April 19.

The girls posted an 87-60 victory, logging 11 first-place finishes and ten second-place results in 18 events.

NHS swept the following events: 300 hurdles: Rayna Toth, Gabbi Arguello, and Arden Hildenbrand; javelin: Sarah Nowacki, Alexis Woods, and Katie Peterson; shot-put: Sarah Nowaki, Katie Stan, and Shayna Millard; and discus: Nowaki, Peterson, and Stan.

Elise Barricelli came in first in the 100 and 200, and qualified for states in both events. The 4x100 relay team of Barricelli, Reagan Schoen, Riley Powers, and Jillian Bobowick also qualified for states.

Powers won and qualified for states in the 400 with a time of 61 seconds.

Ally McCarthy and Hannah Snayd both qualified for states in the 1600 with times of 5.27 and 5.38, respectively.

Kayleigh Troy placed first in high jump with a leap of 4-foot-4 and Emily Litke placed second at the same height.

“Super-proud of our first meet. Returnees took the lead and really showed up. Our newbies got their worries and first meet jitters out, so Friday’s meet should see some better results. Time to buckle down and get girls qualified,” said Coach Becky Bourret, referring to a Friday, April 23 visit to Pomperaug of Southbury at 4:30 pm.

Newtown’s boys’ team had some strong finishes. While many team members were absent due to coronavirus protocols, the remaining Nighthawks fought hard and had six South-West Conference championship qualifiers. Additionally, the 4x100 relay team qualified for the Class LL state championships.

Top finishers for Newtown included Sam Edwards, first place in the pole vault with a jump of 11 feet; the 4x400 finishing in 3:48.00 (Aiden Hall, Caleb Smith, Will Elkins, Drew Poseno); second place in the 4x100 in 46.11 (Hall, Hampton Cobb, Ethan Appiah, Will Hornby); Smith in the 100 with a time of 11.7; Brock Dukate in the 400 in 57.6; Cobb in the triple jump with a 33-2½; Lance Featherstone in the javelin with a 101-7; Andrew Swierbut in the long jump with a leap of 18-2; and third-place finishers Dukate in the 100 with an 11.8, Elkins in the 400 with a 58.8, Matt Sortino in the 800 with a time of 2:28, and Sweirbut and Featherstone in the 200 each with a time of 24.3.

“The Hawks are excited to be back on the track and look forward to running at Pomperaug this Friday,” Newtown Coach Becky Osborne said.