runners pg 7 4-11-24
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The boys’ track team will rely on the running talents of, from left: Christian Menounos, Colton Sallum and Charlie Caggiano. Photo by Marc Allard/Woodstock Academy.
Boys’ Track Preview
Runners to provide strength for Woodstock boys’ track
Last year, it was Jared Eaton and his ability in the throws - the shotput, discus and javelin that helped Woodstock Academy score in boys’ track.
Eaton, unfortunately, has graduated.
The Centaurs, this season, will rely on their middle and distance runners.
“Our cross-country program is getting better and better and with that, the 800m, mile and two-mile just comes along with it in outdoor track,” said senior Charlie Caggiano.
Unlike the girls, the Centaurs boys are likely not chasing ECC and state titles.
The team does have individual talent but not the multiple-point scorers like Eaton and Carter Saracina were a year ago.
“Improvement is what we have to look for. We didn’t win any dual meets last year. We lost all of our big scorers from last year except Christian (Menounos) and Colton (Sallum). The goal this year is to try and teach the kids what it is to work and how the work pays off at the end of the season and we want to build a little enthusiasm,” coach Gerry LaMontagne said.
Fortunately, the team is very young.
Only six seniors, Caggiano (mid-distance), Austin Adams (throws), Logan Casteen (sprints), Gavin Grant (multi-events), Chris Kirkconnell (multi) and Joel Koleszar (distance) are out for the team.
But turnout, overall, was good. “We had a decent showing from the freshmen. We have some new people from the upper classes so we’re very happy with turnout,” LaMontagne said.
Menounos will be one of those the Centaurs will count on for points.
He captured the school record in the 800m last season.
“I just want to continue that, get more school records, lower my times and improve as much as I can,” Menounos said.
“I like the middle distance. It’s a faster race, is over quickly, and it’s true toughness. The 800m is the toughest race in track, I feel, and I like tough races.”
Menounos has been successful at longer lengths as well as he finished third in the ECC cross-country race and was a 1000-meter performer in indoor track.
“There is no question that the strength of the team is the middle distance,” LaMontagne said.
“Christian is the state 1000m champion indoors and is the returning ECC 800m champion and he’s looking faster this year than he did last year. Colton is going to be in a really good place as well in the 1600m and that’s the meat and potatoes of our team right there.”
Sallum doesn’t mind running a little longer.
“The 1600m is more strategic and it gives me more time to visualize myself in the race, think about where I am. If I’m boxed in and there are people around me and I have to figure out how to get by them, I have time to do that. That’s one of my strengths because I can calm myself down and think about where I am in the race,” Sallum said.
Caggiano will also be involved in the middle and distance events as he participates for a final outdoor track season in his high school career.
“I didn’t start too long ago so it has gone by really fast for me. I started cross-country in my junior year and did outdoor and indoor beginning as a sophomore but it just flew by. I’m so excited for this last season,” Caggiano said.
In sprints, junior Aidan Kane and sophomore Anthony Beaudreault will try and garner some points with Kane and Gabe Luperon-Flecha also doing jumps and Beaudreault working in hurdles for a first year.
Sophomore Eli Manning, who qualified for States in the shotput last year, will return as one of the top throwers for the Centaurs. Manning will also compete in discus and javelin and will try his hand in the decathlon.
“We’re trying to find our Juliet Allard who can do big things in multiple events and he may be someone who can do that in the future,” LaMontagne said of Manning.
Junior Aiden Brailsford is back into outdoor track and will be used in several different areas. LaMontagne is also hoping to see development from Cayson Barille-Castillo and Miles Densmore, both are freshmen throwers.
Gavin Grant will compete in pole vault and is approaching 10 feet, 6 inches which likely would qualify him for state competition.
The Centaurs took part in the Bloomfield Invitational last weekend and go to the Patriot Games in Coventry this weekend but the first dual meet at East Lyme will not take place until April 24.
“It’s the opposite of last year where we had to wait two months for our first meet and the kids were chomping at the bit. Overall, the schedule this year is better than last year. It would be better if we had more dual meets and if they were spread out a bit more. Dual meets are a much better place for young athletes to learn,” LaMontagne said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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