BOYS OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD: 25 TO WATCH

Here are 25 athletes to watch for the 2022 boys outdoor track and field season:

Tyler Bartlett (Fairfield Ludlowe) Jr.:

During recent indoor season at the New England meet was fifth in 1000 (2:31.95), at the State Open placed second in 1000 (2:34.30), at Class LL won 1000 (2:35.67).

Blake Battaglia (Wilbur Cross) Jr.:

At the recent State Open indoor meet was third in the 55 hurdles (7.88) and at Class LL won 55 hurdles (8.01). During 2021 outdoor season at the State Open was third 110 hurdles (15.11) and at Class LL won 110 hurdles (15.45).

Gianluca Bianchi (Greenwich) Jr.:

Specializing in the 300 (indoor) and 400 (indoor and outdoor), at the New Balance National Indoor meet placed third in the Rising Stars 400 (49.63), at New England won the 300 (35.36), at State Open was third in the 300 (35.98), at Class LL won 300 (36.22).

Christopher Bon Tempo (New Milford) Sr.:

During the indoor season at the State Open was second in shot put (50-2.5) and at Class L second in shot put (51-1). Last outdoor season at the State Open was third in the shot put (49-0.5).

Colin Brown (Cheshire) Jr.: During the indoor season at New England placed fifth in the 300 (35.80) and third in 55 dash (6.54), at State Open was third in 55 dash (6.54), at Class L was second in 55 dash (6.54) and fourth in 300 (37.62).

Eamon Burke (Xavier) Sr.:

Committed to run at Syracuse. During the indoor season at the State Open won the 1000 (2:33.67), was fifth in the 3200 (9:31.55), and ran a leg of the winning 1600 sprint medley relay (3:39.78), at Class L won the 1000 (2:37.97), third in 3200 (9:40.50), ran a leg of the winning 1600 sprint medley relay (3:40.79). Last outdoor season in Class L was second in the 3200 (9:08.48).

Steven Ditelberg (Fairfield Ludlowe) Sr.: Coming off the indoor season at the NIKE National meet won the Emerging Elite pole vault (14-11.25), at the New Balance National meet finished sixth in Emerging Elite division pole vault (14-2.25), at State Open won pole vault (14-3), and at Class LL won pole vault (14-0). Last outdoor season in Class L was third in the pole vault (12-6).

Matthew Gibbs (Hillhouse) Sr.:

Last outdoor season at the State Open won the 300 hurdles (38.37), and at Class L was second in 300 hurdles (40.38) and second in 110 hurdles (15.80). Competed in basketball during the winter season.

Ryan Gruczka (Stonington) Jr.:

In the recent indoor season, at the State Open was third I the 1000 (2:35.69), at Class S won 1000 (2:35.20) and second in 3200 (10:00.22). Last outdoor season at Class M was sixth in the 1600 (4:28.54) and sixth in 3200 (9:49.11).

Ralphael Hawkins (Hillhouse) Sr.:

During the recent indoor season at the NIKE National meet won the Emerging Elite 200 (21.83), at State Open won the 55 dash 6.45, fourth in 300 (36.08), ran a leg of the winning 4x200 relay (1:32.91), at Class L won 55 dash (6.48) and won the 300 (35.67).

Michael Johnson (Lewis Mills) Jr.:

In the recent indoor season at the New England meet was fourth in the 55 hurdles (7.55), at the State Open second in the 300 (35.92, school record), won 55 hurdles (7.53, school record), at Class M won the 300 (36.14) and won 55 hurdles (7.58).

Alex Krause (Coventry) Sr.: During the recent indoor season won the shot put at Class S (49-5), at NIKE National Indoor meet 10th in Championship weight throw (64-4.5). During the 2021 outdoor season won the CIAC hammer throw (197-4), at State Open second in discus (158-6) ad fourth in shot put (47-2.5).

Aidan Law (HaddamKillingworth) Sr.: During the indoor season at the NIKE National meet was fifth in the Emerging Elite long jump (21-4), at New England he was second in the long jump (21-9.5), at State Open won the long jump (21-3.25), at Class S was fourth in long jump (20-8), at Shoreline Conference meet won long jump (20-8.75), won high jump (5-10). Last outdoor season at Class M was sixth in the long jump (19-11).

Gary Moore Jr. (Hillhouse) Sr.: Committed to compete at Baylor. Coming off indoor season at the New Balance National indoor meet the All-American was third in the Championship division weight throw (73-6.75, state record), ninth in Championship division shot put (58-2.5), at the NIKE National indoor meet fourth in Championship division weight throw (73-6), fifth in Championship division shot put (62-2.5), at New England third in shot put (62-8.25), at State Open won shot put (63-11.25, meet record), at Class L won shot put (64-1.25, meet and state record). Last outdoor season at State Open won the discus in a meet record 188-7, won the shot put (59-0.25) and was fifth in javelin (161-4). At Class L he won the discus in a meet record (186-5), won the shot put (58-0) and placed fourth in javelin (173-0). Overall bests: outdoor in shot put: 60-11ft (No. 5 All-time in CT / school record); discus: 188-7ft (No. 4 All- time in CT / school record); Hammer: 189-2 (No. 13 All-Time in CT / school record).

Joshua Mooney (Stonington) Jr.: During the indoor season, at the NIKE National meet was second in the Emerging Elite 60 hurdles (8.18) and second in the Emerging Elite 55 hurdles (7.62), at Class S won 55 hurdles (7.60), second in 55 dash (6.63), fifth in 300 (37.41). During 2021 outdoor season was second in the CIAC decathlon (5507 points), at the State Open was second in 110 hurdles (14.4) and fifth in 300 hurdles (39.92) and at Class M won 110 hurdles (14.65) and second in 300 hurdles (39.87).

Andrew O’Donnell (Greenwich) Sr.: Last outdoor season selected to the GameTimeCT All-State outdoor track first team with a win in the 400 (48.31) and fourth in the 200 (22.39) at State Open. At Class LL meet won 400 (48.36) and was second in 200 (22.16). This past winter season he played basketball. He has committed to run track at the University of Pennsylvania.

Nikita Omelchenko (Wilbur Cross) Sr.: During the indoor season at the New England meet was second in the Mile Run (4:15.92), at State Open fourth in 1600 (4:17.04), at Class LL won 1600 (4:22.03).

Aidan Puffer, Manchester, Sr.: During cross country, won Class LL (15:51), second at New England (16:06.12) and 13th at Eastbay National Championship (15:33). Coming off indoor season at New Balance National meet the All-American was fourth in Championship 2-Mile (8:52.33) and fourth in Championship 3000 (8:18.38), at the New England meet fourth in 2Mile Run (9:04.35), State Open took second in the 3200 (9:15.85), at Class LL won 3200 (9:18.42). During the 2021 outdoor season at the State Open was second in the 3,200 (9:03.85) and at Class LL he won the 1,600 (4:11.01) and the 3,200 (9:19.37). Will run in cross country and track at Northern Arizona.

Jeremy Rivera (Prince Tech) Sr.: During recent indoor season at State Open won 600 (1:23.94), at Class M won 600 (1:25.43), ran a leg of the winning 1600 sprint medley relay (3:46.57). Last outdoor season at Class M was seventh in the 800 (2:02.59).

Tobias Ruffo (Hall) Sr.:

During indoor season at New England was sixth in 600 (1:22.99), at State Open second in 600 (1:24.07), ran a leg of winning 4x400 relay (3:31.18), at Class LL won 600 (1:25.92), ran a leg of winning 4x400 relay (3:30.02), ran a leg of winning 4x800 relay (8:15.45). In the 2021 outdoor season at the State Open he was fourth in 800 (1:56.50) and fourth in Class LL 800 (1:56.50).

Callum Sherry (Conard) Sr.: The All-American is one of the most improved runners in the state this past year. During the indoor season at the New Balance National meet he was second in the Championship 2-Mile Run (8:50.60) and third in the Championship 3000 (8:18.38). At the New England meet he was third in the 2-Mile (9:01.34), at the State Open second in the 1600 (4:13.32) and third 3200 (9:20.88), at Class L second 1600 (4:21.21), second 3200 (9:13.83), ran a leg of the winning 4x800 relay (8:16.66). Last outdoor season at State Open seventh in 1600 (4:15.37) and seventh 3200 (9:26.72) and at Class L third in 1600 (4:15.94) and fourth in 3200 (9:12.87). Committed to run track at Stanford with twin brother.

Gavin Sherry (Conard) Sr.:

Sherry, committed to run at Stanford, has been rolling and seems to break a 1600, 3200, mile or 2mile record every time he steps on the track these days. The All-American set a state indoor mile record at the New Balance National meet with a fourthplace finish in the Championship division Boys 1-Mile race in 4:02.69, his fourth place in the Championship division 1500 (3:46.74) also set a state indoor record, he won the 2-mile (8:48.59) for another state record and also won the 3000 (8:15.93). He set another state record with a win in the 1600 (4:11.19) at the New England meet. In the 2021 outdoor track season at the State Open he shattered state and meet record in 1600 in 4:01.88 and won the 3,200 in a meet record 8:59.80. Goal is to break 4 minutes during outdoor season.

Timothy Watson (Simsbury) Sr.:

Coming off indoor season at NIKE National meet the AllAmerican was second in Championship division high jump (6-9, school record), at New Balance National meet third in Championship high jump (6-8), New England won high jump (6-9), at State Open won high jump (6-8), at Class L won high jump (6-4). Last outdoor season at State Open was second in high jump (6-4) and won high jump (6-4) at Class L. He will compete in track and field at Penn State.

Sean Kennedy-Wonneberger (Hale Ray) Sr.:

During indoor season at New England meet was fourth in Mile Run (4:16.96), at State Open third in 1600 (4:15.46), fourth in 3200 (9:26.22), at Class S won 1600 (4:27.47) and won 3200 (9:37.78, meet record). Last outdoor season at Class S, won 1600 (4:24.48) and 3200 (10:10.51)

Jonathan York (Hall) So.:

This past indoor season at New England meet was sixth in 300 (35.86), at State Open won 300 (35.67) and ran a leg of winning 4x400 relay (3:31.18), at Class LL was second in 300 (36.59), ran a leg of winning 4x200 relay (1:33.32) and ran a leg of winning 4x400 relay (3:30.02). Last outdoor season at Class LL was fourth in 400 (50.75) and ran a leg of winning 4x400 relay (3:23.19).