Weston’s Greene sets record; Castaldi, Smith each win twice
NEW BRITAIN — Connecticut high school boys and girls track and field athletes showcased their talent with multiple wins at the 75th New England Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Willow Brook Park on Saturday.
Shea Greene of Weston led the way by shattering the meet record by nearly three feet in the javelin, while Amanda Castaldi of Sheehan and Alanna Smith of Danbury had two wins each.
Greene won the javelin with a throw of 152 feet, 1 inch. The previous meet record was 149-6 set by Danika Ham of New Hampshire in 2008.
She threw the recordsetting mark on her first throw in the championship flight.
“I’m definitely excited to get this win, the record just makes it that more special,” said Greene, who has committed to compete in the javelin at Princeton. “B ecause of COVID-19, I couldn’t compete in the New England meet the last two years. When I competed as a freshman in 2019, I was fourth.
“To get my first New England win was something I’ve been working toward. My goal today was to throw as hard as I could every throw. My throws have been consistent in the postseason, so I felt good coming here.”
SMITH, SEGALLA RENEW STATE OPEN RIVALRY
Sydney Segalla of Housatonic Regional, an elite soccer player, has been successful in her first season competing in track. She happens to run the same events (100, 200, 400) as elite runner Alana Smith. They met for the first time at the State Open with Segalla winning the 200 and
400 and Smith winning the 100.
At the New England meet, they used similar strategy to set up a face-off in the 200. Segalla skipped the 100 to save energy for the 200 and 400. Smith, after winning the 100 (11.96), skipped the 400 and Segalla won the 400 (53.27).
In the 200, Smith and Segalla raced side by side until the final 60 meters when Smith surged ahead to win in 24.09. Segalla was second in 24.66.
“I was happy to get the win in the 100, but I knew I had to give 100 percent in the 200 because she (Segalla) is a strong runner,” Smith said. “I skipped the 400 so I could run fresh in the 200.
“To get two wins gives me confidence going to the national meet (next weekend).”
Segalla was happy to get her first New England win.
“It feels great to come here and get a win,” said Segalla, who will play soccer at Boston College. “When I race I just go out and run hard and that is what I did in the 400.”
CASTALDI EARNS A PAIR OF WINS
Castaldi ran the second leg of the winning 4x100 relay (48.08) and also won the 100 hurdles (14.78).
“I expected the 100 hurdles to be a close race and it was,” Castaldi said. “I heard so many people screaming for me during the race that it motivated me to run even harder. That support helped me get the win.”
MOORE GETS A WIN
Senior Gary Moore Jr. competed in his final New England meet and went out a winner. Skipping the shot put and javelin due to a nagging finger injury, Moore won the discus with a throw of 187-9.
“I’m feeling really good and the finger is getting better,” Moore said. “I’ve been throwing the discus consistently in the 180s, so I was confident today. I knew I still had to focus more because Tarik is so good in the event.”
Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan of Woonsocket, R.I. was second with a throw of 186-4.