New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Moore enjoyed record-breaking success
NEW HAVEN — The day the 2022 CIAC Class L Indoor Track and Field Championships were held — Feb. 12 — is a day that Hillhouse senior Gary Moore Jr. will always remember.
During the meet at the Floyd Little Athletic Center, Moore’s goal was to break the state indoor record in the shot put. Moore threw for 62 and 63 feet on his first two tosses, respectively, and fell short of the goal. But after he let the third throw go, and it was confirmed he threw 64 feet, 1.25 inches to break the record, the crowd surrounding the shot put pit erupted with a loud cheer.
“This is what I have been working for this season,” Moore said at the time. “I’ve been getting 63, but to break the state record in a state meet means so much. It was unbelievable to hear everyone cheer when I did it. I’ve been working on my technique this season and that was a big help.
“I turned up the intensity on that last throw and I gave it everything I had.”
Moore broke the 53-year-old state record of 63 feet, 3.5 inches, set by Mel Taylor of Hartford Public in 1969.
At this stage of his career, Moore has focused on records and milestones during his senior year.
“My personal goals now are the outdoor records that are out there,” Moore said. “Records are hard to reach. But years from now I want people to look at the record books and see Gary Moore Jr.’s name everywhere.”
On many levels the indoor season was a special one for Moore and for his effort he has been named the Register All-Area Boys Indoor Track MVP.
He ended up as a three-time All-American participating in two national meets the same weekend — NIKE Indoor Championships on Long Island and New Balance Indoor Championships in New York City. He was a NIKE AllAmerican in the weight throw and