North Branford Track Starts Strong

The track teams with a taste of competition before April vacation as the freshmen traveled to Madison to compete in the Hand Freshman Invitational Meet and the competed in a tri-meet against East Hampton and Cromwell.

In the freshmen invitational, the T-Birds had several top finishers led by Rachel Sokoloff, who was victorious in both the 100 hurdlges (18.67) and the 300 hurdles (53.92). Marissa Bale placed sixth in the 800 (2:55) and eighth in the 1,600 (6:27). 

Other strong finishes were turned in by Julie Castillo in the javelin (10th, 52-5), Chris Kruglik in the 800 (8th, 2:32) and 1,600 (11th, 5:34); and Christian Iuteri in the 100 (8th, 13:54) and 200 (16th, 28.15).

The girls’ varsity team earned several top finishes on April 10 when the T-Birds took on Cromwell and East Hampton in a Shoreline Conference matchup.

Four North Branford athletes took first against both opponents including Rachel Boyers in both the 100 hurdles (17.7) and the 300 hurdles (52.03); Rachel Sokoloff in the 100 (13.28), Jessica Wharton in the shot put (27-7 ¼) and Stephanie Torniero in the javelin (98-6). Boyers, Sokoloff and Torniero each qualified for state in their respective events.

The T-Birds also had four athletes earn second-place sweeps of both teams–Jordan Miket in the 200 (28.87), Natalie Baughan in the 100 (13:67) and long jump (14-2), Jordan Rippe in the shot put (26-8 ½) and Torniero in the discus (69-9).

The 4x100 team of Miket, Baughan, Leah Martino and Katelyn Pantera also qualified for states with their performance in the meet.