New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
Xavier boys take home state championship
NEW HAVEN — Depth has been the defining factor for the Xavier boys track program and it worked to perfection on Friday.
The Falcons won their second straight CIAC Class L Indoor Track Championships title at Floyd Little Athletic Center with 74 points, led by wins from Owen Martin (1600), Nick Cassarino (600) and Hunter Feitel (pole vault).
Rounding out the top three boys teams were Windsor in second place with 68 points and Hillhouse (40).
Despite having a runner fall and being disqualified in the 4x200 relay, the first event of the meet, Windsor rebounded and won its seventh straight girls Class L title with 82 points. E.O. Smith was second with 77 points and Shelton was third with 59.
“We always talk about any given day can be your day in a meet,” Xavier coach Chris Stonier said. “But we also have teammates who can pick you up. Today our depth came through. We clinched the title in the 3200. We needed 8 points in that event and we got 11.
“We’ll spend a week to decide what events to focus on for the State Open and hopefully we can have the same success there.
The Falcons’ depth was on display with individual winners Owen Martin in the 1600 and Nick Cassarino in the 600.
In a race that had several lead changes, Martin used his usual late kick to pull away down the final straightaway to win in 4:25.80. Cameron Nephew of Xavier was second (4:27.02), Francis Porrini III of Bristol Central was third (4:27.64) and Jack Ouellette of Xavier was fourth (4:28.60).
“I initially went out thinking I could sit behind the leaders and then pick them off,” Martin said. “But the pace was slow, no one wanted to take a strong lead. I wanted this race and the last lap I just took off.
“For us to finish 1-2-4 is really something in a state meet. You don’t see that every day and it says a lot about our team. It’s great to be able to contribute to our points in the team standings.”
Cassarino led start to finish but was pushed in the 600 and won in 1:23.62. Like Martin, a late kick did the trick. Jack Mulcunry of Bristol Central was second in 1:23.91 and Luke Pacheco of Shelton was third in 1:24.02.
“I always enjoy it when I get pushed in a race and I got pushed hard in this one,” Casssarino said. “It helped motivate me at the very end.”
Xavier’s Hunter Feitel added a win in the pole vault (12-6).
WINDSOR’S KEARSE ECSTATIC
“This meet was a good example of the resilience our team has,” Windsor girls indoor track coach Kelvan Kearse said. “When our girl fell in the 4x200, that situation might be devastating to some coaches. But these girls are tough, and they are so resilient.
“They kept coming back, grinding it out and produced the point we needed to bounce back. They compete as a team and they never give up.”
HERNANDEZ ROLLS AGAIN IN 600
Gabby Hernandez of E.O Smith took an early lead in the 600, dropped a few steps behind Brittani Westberry of Windsor in the second lap and then bolted around the final corner of the final lap to retake the lead and win in 1:34.43.
Hernandez has sizzled in the 600 this season. Earlier this season she won the event in 1:31.69 at a meet and at the time ranked No. 1 in the nation in the event. Heading into this weekend the time ranked her No. 3 in the nation in the 600.
“Having a quick early pace, I decided to drop back. I knew I had a strong enough late kick to get the lead back. I used the last corner as a springboard to get the lead and I just kept running hard. She’s a good runner and you never want to assume you’ve won a race until it’s over.
“I’m very proud of what I have accomplished this season. I’m really excited to qualify for the championship division at the New Balance National meet.”
OTHER TOP WINNERS
In the girls meet, Shelton’s Audrey Kozak won the 55 dash in a personal best 7.13 and won the long jump (17-3.25). She was third in the high jump. Katherine Bohlke of Newington won the 1600 (5:00.13) and the 3200 (10:50.60). Jill Roberts of Wilton won the 55 hurdles (8.43).
Boys who fared well were Amir Phelmetto of Hillhouse who won the 55 hurdles (7.78) and Khalil Antoine of Hillhouse was secod in the high jump (6-2).