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05/16/2019 12:00 AMCarlos Macaay is a role model for his teammates on the Branford boys’ outdoor track squad, and he’s proving that during his final campaign as a member of the Hornets. Carlos hasn’t been able to compete in recent weeks due to an injury, but the senior captain continues to lend a hand to Branford by providing a positive presence at practices, meets, and in the weight room.
Carlos feels proud to have contributed to the Hornets’ growth in recent seasons. A few weeks ago, Branford claimed its first division championship since 2015. This past winter, Carlos ran on a 1,600 sprint medley relay (SMR) team that broke the school record by recording a time 3:43.41.
“The biggest thing I’m proud of is how much we’ve improved as a team in all the years I’ve been doing track. We just won our division this year,” says Carlos. “During the indoor season, we set the school record in the SMR relay.”
A sprinter, Carlos has helped Branford’s SMR post a pair of second-place finishes at the Class M State Championship, along with a first-place performance at last year’s SCC Championship. Carlos also ran the 55, the 300, and the 4x400 relay with the indoor squad. For the outdoor team, Carlos does the 100 and the 200, as well as the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Carlos feels that relays are his specialty.
“I am in a lot of relays. I’m good at getting the baton and handing it off, and a lot of people struggle with that,” Carlos says. “It came naturally to me. I didn’t really have to work on it. Most people overthink it. It’s really simple. You just have to trust your teammate.”
Carlos typically runs in several events, although he does have his favorites. Of course, Carlos enjoyed running with his record-setting SMR during the indoor season. In the springtime, Carlos likes doing the 200, which is the length of his leg in the SMR.
“I like the SMR, because our team is really good in general. As soon as I hand off the baton, it’s awesome seeing my teammates pass someone. Someone can have a tough leg, but the next person can be amazing,” says Carlos. “In outdoor, the 200 is my favorite, because I feel like it’s the perfect distance. It’s not too short, but it’s not so long that it drags on.”
Even though Carlos hasn’t competed as much as he’d like to this season, he’s taking that setback in stride. While he wishes he was in the lanes with his teammates, Carlos is doing everything he can to support the Hornets.
“Motivating the team is keeping me motivated. I’m just watching others compete. I want to compete, but I like watching others, too. I like seeing people breaking their personal records,” Carlos says. “I’ve been feeling down because of my injury, but I don’t stay there. I have to get back up, and the team motivates me to do that. It’s not about me. It’s about the team. I can’t compete right now, so I want to see everyone else improve around me.”
Carlos has been speaking up more often while leading Branford as a captain. Carlos knows that it’s important to give his teammates a boost from the sidelines.
“I feel like the whole point of being a captain is to lead the team in the right direction,” says Carlos. “You don’t have to be strict. You just have to keep people in check and incorporate that into having fun. Be vocal with teammates. Keep them motivated.”
Head Coach Rich Biondi appreciates the mentality that Carlos brings to the track and believes that his diligence sets a great example for the Hornets. When Carlos got injured, Biondi entrusted him with the responsibility of working with Branford’s sprinters during practice.
“Carlos leads by example at practice and in the weight room. He’s been a durable sprinter throughout his career. I know it bothers him that he can’t run all his events and help the team, but he’s stayed positive and fought through it,” Biondi says. “In a lot of ways, he’s coaching the sprinters at practice. I trust him to lead them in their workouts. Carlos has the respect of the coaches and the athletes, and he deserves it. He’s had an outstanding career.”
Carlos is going to attend Southern Connecticut State University, where he will major in exercise science and likely try out for the track team. Looking back at his four years with the Hornets, Carlos feels grateful for everyone who’s helped him become an accomplished sprinter.
“I want to thank my brother Brajen Macaay. He did track when he was in high school, and I followed him. It pushed me to start track. Also, my mom Marisol has really been there for me after races,” Carlos says. “All of my coaches keep me motivated, as well as the other captains: Marzio Mastroianni, Aiden Kropiwnicki, and Matt Daley. They’re all amazing runners. Just watching them improve makes me want to improve. It really pushes me. It keeps me going.”