High hopes this spring for Dragons

MIDDLETOWN >> This is one of three city high school springs sports previews. This is Middletown High, Xavier High and Mercy and Vinal Tech High Schools will follow in the upcoming days.

Boys track and field

There are high hopes for this year’s edition.

“Our goals are to defend our CCC South White division title, win the CCC South meet and challenge for the top spot in Class L,” said 11-year coach Jenn Prince. “We have some very talented veteran athletes who will lead us very deep into the postseason.”

The team returns 10 All-Conference and five All-State athletes. Among these are junior DeAaron Lawrence who tied the school record in the high jump (66) last season and qualified for the New Englands and New Balance Emerging Elite Nationals, senior Laurenzo Thompkins who holds the school record in the 110 and 300 hurdles, was All-Conference in three events, All-State in the 4x400 relay, All-New England and also qualified for the Emerging Elite Nationals.

Also, senior Justin McMillian, junior DeShaun Bradshaw, junior Nico Cavaliere, and junior Garrett Dandridge all qualified for the New Balance Championship Nationals in a variety of sprint events.

Junior Dylan Drescher (shot, discus, javelin), senior Jalen Coleman (800, 1600), junior Ben Carlson (1600, 3200), senior Zak D’Amico (pole vault), senior Drue Marino (800, 1600), sophomore Matt Lecky (1600, 3200), and sophomore DaJuan Lomotey (100, 200, high jump) are all expected to make significant contributions.

Others looking to make contributions are Danny Flynn (pole vault), Tyler Wenzel (pole vault), Jaymin Torres (sprints, jumps),

FROM PAGE 1 Tim Johnson (distance) and Dylan Karpel (distance).

Also Tyshaun James, a senior out for track for the first time, is a sprinter and Osbourne Richards looks to factor in the throws.