Hillhouse’s Moore sets shot put state record
NEW HAVEN — The goal heading into this indoor season for Gary Moore Jr. of Hillhouse was to break the state record in the shot put.
The strength has always been there for Moore, who has committed to Baylor. Moore’s practices and regular season meets this season were all geared toward improving his technique with the goal of breaking the distance of 63 feet, 3.5 inches, set by Mel Taylor of Hartford Public 1969.
At the CIAC Class L Indoor Track Championships at the Floyd Little Athletic Center on Saturday, Moore threw for 62 and 63 feet on his first two tosses, respectively. As he let the third throw go and it was confirmed he threw 64 feet, 1.25 to break the record, the crowd surrounding the shot put pit erupted with a loud cheer.
“I am so happy, so thrilled, this is what I have been working for this season,” Moore said with a wide grin after the event. “I’ve been getting 63, but to break the state record in the state meet means so much.
“The third throw did it for me, 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. But I turned up the intensity on that last throw and I gave it everything I had. It feels great, so emotional.”
XAVIER BOYS, WINDSOR GIRLS WIN TEAM TITLES
Xavier won the 4x200 relay (1:33.32, school record) to kick off the meet, won the 1600 Sprint Medley relay (3:40.79), Hunter Feitel won the pole vault (11-6) and Eamon Burke won the 1000 (2:37.97) to lead the Falcons to the team title with 86.5 points. Hillhouse was second with 54 points and New Milford and Conard tied for third with 48 each.
“We’re typically a distance team, so starting the meet off with a win in a sprint event like the 4x200 really got us going,” 11-year Xavier coach Chris Stonier said. “We scored in nearly every event. Coming in, the way I figured it I thought 60 points would win the title. But so many of our guys stepped up.”
One boy who stepped up was Eamon Conneely, who ran a leg of the winning 4x200 relay and earned six points for taking third in the 300 (36.32). Burke took the lead going around the first turn in the 1000 and cruised to the win. Teammate Alexander Ushchak was second (2:39.52).
“The plan was to take the quick lead in the 1000 and just hang on for the win,” Burke said. “It wasn’t about the time, it was more about getting as many points as I could for the team.”
Xavier has won 14 class titles overall.
The Windsor girls had only one win with Shani Smith in the 55 hurdles (8.50) and used depth to win their sixth straight team title with 64 points. Darien was second with 54 points and Hillhouse third with 42.
“The 4x200 we dropped the baton and got zero points to start the meet,” Windsor coach Kelvan Kearse said. “So I was nervous. I calmed the girls down, we had a meeting and focused on doing our b est the rest of the meet.
“We ended up scoring in every event except the 4x200, pole vault and high jump. I am so proud of these girls.”
SHERRY SETS TWO MEET RECORDS
Elite distance runner Gavin Sherry of Conard won the 1600 in 4:13.97. It was announced as a state record, but Conard coach Ron Knapp clarified it was a meet record. The state record is 4:13.29. He also won the 3200 in a meet record 8:59.45 and his brother, Callum Sherry, was second in 9:13.83.
“I’m just having fun out there, I love the big (national) races but competing with my team means so much more,” Gavin Sherry said. “My goal is to break 4 minutes in the 1600, maybe in outdoor.”
HAWKINS WINS 55, 300
Ralphal Hawkins of Hillhouse won the 55 (6.48) and the 300 (35.67).
“I got off to a good start in the 55, but it was a close race with a lot of good runners,” Hawkins said. “I needed a strong surge and lean at the finish line to get the win. In the 300 I just ran my race and went out hard. The important thing for me was to finish strong to get as many points for my team as I could.”
DEMARK WINS 600
Kate Demark of Darien won the 600 (1:40.12), using a late kick to take the lead in the last lap.
“It’s really exciting to get this win,” Demark said. “My coach told me to pace myself, so I waited for the right moment to make a move. Pacing myself allowed me to have a lot of energy at the end.”
OTHER WINNERS
Grace Stephens of Masuk won the pole vault (10-6), Ryan Johnson of Wilton won the long jump (21-5.5), Audrey Kozak of Shelton won the long jump (1611.75), Meg Barnouw of Fairfield Warde won the high jump (5-2), Madelaine Sweeney of New Milford won the 3200 (11:11.35) and Sydney Kelleher of New Milford won the 1600 (5:09.63).