Branford Boys’ Indoor Track Stood Out on SCC, State Postseason Stages
While taking its annual winter timeshare stay in the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven, the Branford boys’ indoor track team made the most of it by putting in a bevy of boastful performances while displaying a tremendous amount of care, compassion, and camaraderie amongst its squad ranks in the 2022-2023 season.
Within postseason action, Branford, led by Head Coach Rich Biondi, finished fourth out of 10 teams at the SCC West Sectional Meet on Jan. 24. The Hornets next came in 11th out of 21 squads at the SCC Championship on Feb. 4.
While praising the placements of those postseason competitions, Biondi was equally proud of the team cohesion that flowed freely through the club.
“Both were sound efforts that exceeded the preseason goals,” said Biondi on the SCC meets. “The team chemistry and the aura of the team was outstanding. The athletes worked hard and supported one another. It was a fun group to be around.”
At the top, Branford was led throughout its journeys in the hallowed halls of the Floyd Little Athletic Center by three dynamic distance runners in senior captains Massimo Corrick, Colin Donahoe, and Evan Bouley.
Each got a taste of the big stage this winter, with Corrick qualifying for states in the 1600 meter race, Donahoe being an All-SCC West Sectional, All-SCC, and All-State Team selection (both for the 600), and earning a spot in nationals for the 600; plus Bouley making states for the 4x200 relay despite missing the back half of the season with an ankle injury.
“In terms of leadership and promoting the culture of the program, the captains did a terrific job,” said Biondi. “The captains also demonstrated patience and maturity when helping to guide and coach the younger athletes on the squad.”
For the sectional showing, first place finishes included Ryder Kropiwnicki in the pole vault (12’6), Enaji Muhammad in the high jump (5’10), and Donahoe in the 600 meters (1:24.10). Muhammad took third place in the long jump (19’7.25), and Kropiwnicki took fourth place in the 55-meter-high hurdles (8.76). Corrick’s 1600 meter time of 4:53.08 was good for sixth place, and Peter Distasio, Donahoe, Sam Harwin, and Nolan Weted also took sixth place in the 4x400 relay (3:58.95).
At the conference championship meet, Biondi and Branford finished in 11th place overall but had several standout accomplishments, as well. Donahoe earned First Team All-SCC honors in the 600 meters, recording a time of 1:25.57. Kropiwnicki’s 13’0 pole vault score earned him Second Team accolades.
For the Class M State Championship on Feb. 11, Branford came in 11th out of 30 teams, with a team score of 17.50 points. Top six finishers included Donahoe in the 600 meters (1:24.11), taking second place. Kropiwnicki finished in second place in the pole vault (12’0) and Muhammad (5’8) came in fifth place in the high jump.
Three athletes from the team competed at the State Open Championship on Feb. 18. Muhammad placed ninth in the high jump, with a score of 5’10. Kropiwnicki’s fourth place finish in the pole vault (12’6) qualified for All-State. Another athlete who made the All-State Team was Donahoe, who took sixth place in the 600 meters (1:24.36).
For additional postseason award honors, senior Kropiwnicki was named to the All-SCC West Sectional, All-SCC Second Team, and to the All-State Team for the pole vault. Muhammad made the All-Sectional squad for his efforts in the high jump.
The Hornets will say goodbye to several stunning and sensational seniors with the triumvirate of captains, along with long/high jump and shot put competitor Ronan Hayes and Kropiwnicki (who competed in the 55 hurdles, pole vault, and 4x200 relay).
Yet Biondi beams sound positivity when looking ahead to the 2023-2024 slate, with Branford housing again solid numbers on its roster and a top-notch attitude as a collective program that has been prevalent for at least a quarter of a century.
“The team will lose a group of talented seniors,” Coach Biondi said. “However, the team will return close to 30 athletes. The philosophy and culture will remain the same as for the last 25 years. Each athlete should focus on working hard at every practice, self-improvement, having fun, and the team-first mentality. With that said, the group will improve throughout the season and hopefully peak at the championship meets.”
The Branford 2022-2023 roster was comprised of seniors in Corrick, Bouley, Donahoe, Hayes, Kropiwnicki; juniors Samuel Coppola, Samuel Harwin, Noah Hauswirth, Carter Moore, Muhammad, Michael Shaw; sophomores of Zachary Berner, Alexander Boria Velazquez, Anthony Cruz, DiStasio, John Fichtenholtz, Sean Howard, Ustav Khatiwada, Benito Kwadade, Nathan Moreno, Romeo Owusu-Boateng, Luksh Patel, Tyler Peterson, Coleman Shanley, Supremee Shrestha, Gavin Smiarowski, Jacob Sweeney, Nolan Weted; and freshmen in Alasdair Adsit, David Buckley, Charles Budz, Logan Ly, Mathias Verdesoto, and Liam Watson.