Sports

Nighthawk Track And Field Teams Host Meet

Published: May 03, 2026 7:00 am

Newtown High School's track and field teams hosted a meet at Blue & Gold Stadium on April 28. The girls beat Notre Dame Prep 86-55, defeated Joel Barlow 87-62, and topped Stratford 103-28. The NHS boys beat Notre Dame 95-44, beat Barlow 89-61, and won against Stratford 76-65.

Natalie del Campo was second in the 400 meters in a time of 1:03.36. Ana Morris won the 1600 in 5:43.16. Eleanor Smith was first in the 3200 in 12:52.41. The 4x100 relay comprising Summer Chaljub, Nyla Peterson, Violet Assante-LaBash, and Gemma Marks was first in 51.37. Faith Weir was second in the shot-put with a throw of 29-9.5 and second in the discus with an 85-3. Jamie Humphreys took second in the javelin with a throw of 95. High jumper Isabella Walder earned second, clearing the bar at 4-10. In the triple jump, Assante-LaBash was first with a 32-5 and Rachel Hugo placed second with a 30-5.

For the boys, Bryce Maddox earned second in the 100 in a time of 11.9. Reid Karnas and Duncan Kolb gave NHS a one-two finish in the 800 with times of 2:04.47 and 2:06.72. In the 1600, Orion Lowery was first in 4:34.25 and Kolb second in 4:34.54. Lowery took second in the 3200 in 10:21.63. The 4x100 relay comprising Justyn Gonzalez, Tanner Smith, James D'Amico, and Maddox was first in 44.20. The 4x400 relay team of Ryan Payne, Julian Bello, Aiden Doyle, and D'Amico was first in 3:41.68. In the 4x800, NHS took second behind James Dorfman, Kauan Dos Santos, Chris Accettella, and Sebastian Cebulski in 10:12.40. Aidan Tanis was second in the high jump, clearing the bar at 5-10 (teammate Maddox was third, also with a 5-10).

Ana Morris runs for Newtown during a meet at Blue & Gold Stadium this spring. —Bee Photos, Hutchison

Chris Accettella and the Hawks had success on the track at Blue & Gold Stadium.

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The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

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Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

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Nighthawk Track And Field Teams Host Meet

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