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02/05/2017 11:00 PMThe Haddam-Killingworth indoor track program didn’t record any team titles or any event victories at the Shoreline Conference Championship, but the Cougars still walked away with plenty of pride after posting several top-three showings at Floyd Little Athletic Center on Feb. 4. These performances helped pave the way to a runner-up finish for the boys, who scored 85 points to place behind winner Old Saybrook (129.5); along with a fourth-place performance from the girls, who totaled 57.5 points.
Dick Dupuis, the head coach of both clubs, was pleased with the results from the conference meet, especially considering how HK had to overcome some typical hurdles of the winter season like illness bugs.
“I was very happy with both team’s performances. They performed above what they did all year. We had a lot of second- and third-place showings. I’m proud of both teams,” said Coach Dupuis. “After Christmas break, we had a couple meets, but then we kept having kids get sick, so it was frustrating because we didn’t have continuity with progression of the team. I told them in the beginning of the year to set goals in certain events and today they were phenomenal. I saw a dramatic improvement over the course of the season to today. It blew my mind. I’m so proud of the kids. They did things they hadn’t done all season long.”
For the HK boys, the 4x200 relay of seniors Nick Formica, Shahzaih Khalid, junior Kyle Crandall, and senior Nate Parker finished second (1:38.78) to Old Saybrook (1:37.31); the 4x800 of juniors Mike Callis, Kurt Sodergren, sophomore Carter Murray, and junior Jonah Spector was third (9:00.64); the 1,600 sprint medley relay of Formica, Khalid, Crandall, and Murray found fourth (4:00.47); and the 4x400 relay in Criscuolo, Freeman, Crandall, and Khalid raced to third (3:48.66).
Additionally, Seth Freeman finished fourth in the 1,000-meter run (2:51.00); Kyle Criscuolo was sixth in the 600 (1:32.96); Spector paced to third with the 1,600 (4:48.68) and was fifth for the 3,200 (10:38.41); the long jump saw a 2-3 finish behind Formica (19-9) and Parker (19-7.5); and junior Nate Breiling came in third for the shot put (38 feet-3 inches), while sophomore Wallace Sample tossed to fifth (36-6.5) and sophomore Colton Lavoie followed in sixth (36-0). Senior Jonathan Ellery finished as the runner-up in the pole vault (11-0) to Coginchaug’s Cooper Berry (11-6); plus Parker placed fourth in the high jump (5-6).
On the girls’ side, the 4x200 of seniors Megan Little, Sam Liptak, junior Andi Roman, and junior Veronica Chrzanowski was sixth (1:55.69); the 4x800 of sophomore Emma Anziano, senior Lizzie Early, sophomore Hailey Cassidy, and junior Kelsey D’Amico claimed third (10:33.10); the sprint medley relay of freshman Ashley Duncanson, Chrzanowski, freshman Maddie Kiely, and Anziano finished fifth (4:40.21); and the 4x400 group of Duncanson, Roman, Kiely, and Kelly was the runner-up (4:23.89) to Old Saybrook (4:22.69).
For individual events, Chrzanowski placed second in the long jump (16-7) behind Devyn King of Old Saybrook (16-11.75); junior Lexie Bouthillier finished sixth for the 1,000 (3:18.60); Julie Kelly was runner-up for the 600 (1:44.91) to Cromwell’s Cara Jordan (1:43.43); D’Amico raced to fourth in the 1,600 (5:35.75) and grinded out a third-place showing in the 3,200 (12:22.91) with Bouthillier following in sixth (12:57.93); and senior Sara Blanton tied for sixth in the high jump (4-4).
“The girls’ 4x200 relay had a good day and took three to four seconds off their personal-best time. Julie Kelly was outstanding in the 600. Sarah Blanton did a good job to place in the long jump,” said Dupuis on the girls’ standout showings. “The boys’ 4x200 relay knocked three seconds off their personal best. [Khalid and Crandall] ran all three relays. All of our relays finished not too far from the top. Nick Formica had a fantastic day. I was very happy with the shot put in finishing third, fifth, and sixth. Jonathan Ellery had a personal best in the pole vault. Jonah Spector did a nice job in anchoring the 4x800, finishing third in the mile, and fifth for the two-mile.”
HK’s captains on the girls’ squad this year are seniors Little and Liptak. Khalid, Parker, Formica, and Ellery are serving as senior captains for the boys’ squad. Coach Dupuis spoke highly of each individual with respect to their ability to be like the glue of their group.
“Meghan and Sam ran the relays for us and helped to keep the team together,” Dupuis said. “[Khalid] is our spirit guy. He’s great with getting the team involved and always gives 100 percent. Nate and Nick have brought a lot of experience. [Khalid] is a good long jumper, but he realized he’d be more valuable on relays, so he made that sacrifice for the team. Nate has grown emotionally and has been very successful.”
Next up for the Cougars is the Class S State Championship on Saturday, Feb. 11. While Coach Dupuis admitted he still has to crunch some numbers and scout some of of HK’s opponents, he’s confident that the Cougars can put up some points at the meet.
“I’ve been so focused on Shorelines, but I’ll look at the numbers around the state this coming week,” said Dupuis. “The Old Saybrook boys’ team looks good and the Bloomfield girls’ team is outstanding. We don’t have superstar kids, but we know they can place at states.”
• The assistant coaches for HK this winter are throwing coach Sean Gallagher and distance coach Mike Waterbury.
• Making the All-Shoreline Conference Second Team for the girls were Veronica Chrzanowski and the 4x400 relay.
• For the boys, that distinction went to Nick Formica, Jonathan Ellery, plus the 4x200 relay squad.