NHS Boys Run, Jump And Throw Their Way Past Six Opponents

By Anna Hodge

The past two weeks have been filled with success for the Newtown High School boys’ track and field team. The boys swept the meets, defeating all six teams they competed against. On Monday, April 25, at its first home meet of the season, the Nighthawks defeated New Milford, 77-72, Notre Dame, 128-4, and Joel Barlow of Redding, 99-42.

At its next home meet, held on Monday, May 2, the Hawks defeated Oxford, 87-59, New Fairfield 101-45, and Pomperaug of Southbury, 77-69. Throughout these meets, there were various athletes who qualified for the South-West Conference Championships, and moved a step closer to qualifying for Class LL State Championships.

Head Coach Dan McIlrath said that the team performed well in the first home meet of the season. “We’re hoping to qualify more athletes for SWC’s and each of the athletes are making strides to do just that,” he said.

The 4x100 and 4x800 relay teams took first at the meet. “All of the relays have now qualified for SWCs. This is another weight off the shoulders of the athletes,” McIlrath said.

McIlrath emphasized the performance of junior Shaun Mangold. “[He was] coming off an injury and not getting much practice pole vaulting, and came out and vaulted 10-6. This qualified him for SWCs and he is only 6 inches from qualifying for LLs,” McIlrath said. “He severely injured his foot during indoor and is working hard to get back on the track. His dedication is a model for others to follow.”

As for the most recent of the NHS meets, the team continued to dominate. The 4x800 relay team took first overall, with a time of 8:47.4. Meanwhile, the 4x100 relay team placed first against Pomperaug and New Fairfield, with a time of 45.1, but fell second to Oxford. The 4x400 relay team placed first against Pomperaug with a time of 3:40.3.

Sophomore Jake Feinstein placed first in the 1600 meter run against all three teams, with a time of 4:24.86. Feinstein, with a time of 10:15, also took first in the 3200 meter.

Senior thrower John Wlasuk also took home first place accolades. He placed first in the javelin, with 159-1; in the shot put, throwing 50-9; and in the discus with a 157-6.

Many of the athletes placed first in their events against one or two of the opposing teams. NHS senior Ken Toal took first against Pomperaug and New Fairfield in the 100 meters, with a time of 11.5 seconds, and in the 200 meter, in 23.6. Junior Chad Cullens, with a time of 18.7, placed first in the 100 meter hurdles against New Fairfield. Fellow junior Peter Kerns took home first in the 400 meter hurdles against New Fairfield, with a time of 53 seconds flat. John Hampford, a junior, placed first in the 300 meter hurdles, in 46 seconds flat. Junior Dieter Gutbrod, with a time of 2:03.54, placed first in the 800 meter run against Oxford and New Fairfield. Junior Brandon Capaldo took first in the long jump against New Fairfield, with a distance of 17-7.

The boys will compete in their next meet on Monday, May 9 at Brookfield High School at 4 pm, against Brookfield and Immaculate of Danbury.