Boys & Girls Have Strong Showings, Break Records in SWC Championships

On Super Bowl Sunday, when most of America was getting together for the big game, athletes from the South-West Conference were getting together to compete for their own championship. 

The Boys and Girls Indoor Track & Field SWC Championship meet had been scheduled for Saturday but, surprise, surprise, bad weather forced it to be rescheduled for Sunday and not one of the hundreds of athletes, coaches and fans complained. They all converged on the New Haven Track & Field Center in Hillhouse High School and when it was all said and done the teams from Weston ruled the day as both the boys and girls took home the first place trophies.

“They all stepped it up,” Brookfield coach Ed Butt said of his teams' coming in behind Weston's.  “They’re disappointed, we don’t like to lose to anybody but Weston has such a great program it makes it a little easier to live with.”

The defending champion Bobcat boys team took the runner-up position, coming up four-points short, scoring 67  to Weston’s 71.  Brookfield was dealt a tough blow when one of their top runners, senior captain Spencer Mannion was held out of the meet due to a sprained ankle. His absence certainly could have been the difference in making up those four points.

“We put the best team we could out there,” Butt said of the absence of Mannion.  “We win together and we lose together.  With Spencer in there it might have been a different story.  Hat’s off to the Weston staff and kids they’re great.”

For the girls, coach Ed Butt was hopeful for a top five finish but was extremely pleased with what turned out to be a sixth place finish for a team that does not have a strong presence. The Lady Bobcats totaled 32.50 points with winner Weston scoring 101 points. The Lady Trojans were way out in front as Immaculate and Newtown tied for second with 74 points.  Masuk and Pomperaug finished with 47.50 and 36 points respectively ahead of Brookfield.

“With the limited amount of kids we have in there, that is awesome,” Butt said.

The boys team was led junior Colin Burke who won a thrilling 300 Meter Dash in school record-breaking style.  Burke edged Weston’s Paul Philpott and New Fairfield’s Trevor Cocozza at the line with a time of 37.55 to break his own record.  Burke also took sixth place in the 600 Meter Run.

Senior Jack Gernert also took a first place, winning the High Jump by out-pointing Masuk’s Mark Fuller. Both jumpers got over the bar set at 6-00. Seniors Sam Grainger and Tyler Appleby placed third and fourth with both clearing 5-10.

Senior captain Chris Ackell took second place in the Shot Put as his top rival John Wlasuk from Newtown got the better of him on this day.

Senior Kirk Gardner took second place in the Pole Vault as he was out-pointed by Masuk’s John Tyler. Both vaulters topped the bar at 12-06. Senior Ryan Murphy earned the team much-needed points by placing fifth. Gardner also earned the team points with his sixth place finish in the Long Jump.

“They’re pretty focused,” Brookfield coach Courtney Allen said of the jumpers.  “The thing about it is they are all upperclassmen, so I kind of count on them to take care of what they are supposed to take care of. Their work ethic is what’s gotten them there.”

Other runners who faired well were senior Dan McArdle, who took third place in the 1000 Meter Run, and senior Kevin Peterson, who placed fourth in the 55 Meter Hurdles.

McArdle also teamed with Burke, Murphy and junior Noah Adams to take third place in the 4x400 Meter Relay. Peterson’s performance qualified him for state competition, as he joined other members of the boys team who have already qualified in numerous events.

On the girls side, junior Wendi Westmark broke her own school record in the Shot Put, placing second with a throw of 31-09.75. Junior Meghan Heron finished right behind her in third place with a throw of 30-05.00. Heron’s performance qualified her for state competition with Westmark and junior Mellisa Pierce who had already qualified.

“It’s the first time I think we’ve had four girls shot putter’s make it to the SWCs,” Allen said.  “So that’s a real nice addition for us.”

Sophomore Djenne Parris also had a school record-breaking performance, besting her own mark in the 300 Meter Dash with a time of 43.12 that was good for third place in the event.

Junior Nicole Clayton and senior Alexandra Green placed fifth and sixth in the high jump, garnishing the team additional points.

Senior captain Aileen Tobin took third place in the 1000 Meter Run with a time of 3:18.78. Tobin also teamed with Parris, senior Kristie Pino and junior Alexandra Willey to place fourth in the 4x400 Meter Relay with a time of 4:32.30. Pino did not make the final heat in the 55 Meter Hurdles but her performance in the preliminaries qualified her for states.

The boys and girls will be back at in the New Haven Track & Field Center this weekend when they compete in the Class M State Championships.

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