NHS Boys’ Track Team Off And Running … Throwing And Jumping

By Anna Hodge

The Newtown High School boys’ outdoor track and field team competed in its first meet of the season at Weston High School, against Bethel, Masuk and Weston on April 11. Newtown, with 84 points, came out on top against Masuk’s score of 65 points. However, the NHS boys were not as successful with their performances against the other two teams, scoring 64 points to Bethel’s score of 85, and 62.5 to Weston’s 85.5. 

Despite the overall results, there were several NHS individuals who took first over all three teams.

Senior John Wlasuk swept the competition with the greatest amount of first place and qualifying performances. The captain competed in the javelin throw, where he set a new personal best with a throw of 173-6.5; shot put, with a heave of 47-11; and discus, with a throw of 151-4. In addition to placing first over all in the three events, Wlasuk also qualified for the South-West Conference championships, Class LL state championships, and the State Open.

Senior Ken Toal placed first in the 200 meter dash, with a time of 23.3, which also qualified the captain for SWCs and Class LLs. Toal qualified for the postseason again with his performance in the 100 meter dash, in which he also placed first against Weston. 

Junior Peter Kerns took first overall in the long jump competition, with a mark of 19-0, qualifying him for SWCs. Kerns also qualified for SWCs in the 100, with a time of 11.55.

Jake Feinstein also took home first-place accolades with his performance in the 3200 meter run. The sophomore, in addition to placing first, qualified for SWCs and Class LLs in the 3200 with a time of 10:00.23. Feinstein also qualified for SWCs and states in the 1600.

Aaron Nezvesky, a senior captain, placed first against Masuk in the 400, with a time of 53.8, and qualified for SWCs. Meanwhile, junior Dieter Gutbrod, with a time of 2:08.2, placed first against Masuk in the 800 meter run.

Daniel McIlrath, coach of the boys’ track team, said he thinks the team members performed extremely well given that it was their first meet of the season.

“I was happy with the results,” McIlrath said. “It was their first meet, so we were trying to dust off their shoulders.”

The Boys’ Track team will compete in its next meet on Monday, April 25 when Joel Barlow, New Milford, and Notre Dame-Fairfield visit at 4 pm.

The girls’ track team, meanwhile, had its first home meet, scheduled for April 12, postponed by rain two days in a row. It was rescheduled for Thursday (after The Bee went to press).