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Connor Leads Boys’ Track to Quality Campaign

Though the Valley Regional boys’ outdoor track squad didn’t reach its ultimate goal of winning the Shoreline or state championship, it did boast a conference and state leader in senior Chris Connor, causing Coach Tim King to call this campaign an overall success as the Warriors finished 7-3 overall, seventh in the conference, and 12th in Class S.

“We had some great kids come out and I had a ball with them,” said King. “I really enjoyed this year of coaching. We had a lot of bright spots and the kids worked hard.”

Leading the squad were senior captains Connor and Bailey Steele. Connor dominated the jumping events, winning the high jump title in both Shorelines and states and earning First Team All-Shoreline and First Team All-State, along with team MVP honors. Steele ran the middle distances and brought a stellar leadership quality to the team while earning the Coach’s Award.

“They were absolutely awesome,” said King of his two captains. “I was so happy with them this year. Anything I needed done, they got it done for me. They were just great kids. Chris may have had one of the greatest careers any Valley kid has ever had and Bailey’s a great kid and was a lot of fun to coach and be with.”

Also scoring points and contributing to the Warriors were seniors Mason King (300 hurdles, 4x8 and 4x4 relays), Alex Belval (sprinter), Jonathan Luster (jumper), Ryan Pomroy (sprinter, 4x4 and 4x1 relays), Clinton Mosher (thrower), Oskar Partyka (400, 800, 4x8 relay), and Alain Aspilaire (thrower). King earned the Top First-Year Track Athlete Award while Mosher was given the Top First-Year in Field Award.

Also making waves this spring were sophomore sprinter Evan Smith (the team’s top scorer) and sophomore thrower Justin Burgess (Top in Field Award).

“I feel like the team’s biggest accomplishment was taking 10-plus kids to the state meet,” said King. “We had quite a few kids go to the state meet this year and to compete in that was awesome.”

Despite losing such a core group of seniors to graduation, the Warriors promise to come back strong in 2014, returning Smith, Chris Jean-Pierre, and Burgess.

“I just really enjoyed the seniors this year and all the kids we had,” said King. “Especially the ones that came out for the first time, they were just great kids to coach. I’m really going to miss that senior group.”