Several Youngsters Qualify for Hershey State Track Meet

On Tuesday, in sweltering 90-degree heat, about 60 boys and girls ages 8-14, gave it their best shot in different athletic events at the outdoor track, the first official day of summer day camp sponsored by the Coventry Parks and Recreation Department.

Despite the heat, most of the campers needed little encouragement to try at least one event under the direction of program supervisor, Jason Lacciardi.

Competing in the softball throw, long jump and running events ranging from 50 meters to over a mile (1,600 meters) on the even hotter asphalt track, the participants were hoping to place high enough to qualify for a special event on Friday.

“Every year we give boys and girls in the camp a chance to compete in the Rhode Island Hershey Track Meet at Rhode Island College,” said Lacciardi. “First-place and second-place winners will qualify in the state meet on Friday,” he tells the winners, handing out permission slips for them to fill out and return.

Some of the winners in the respective state track meets held nationwide will qualify for the Hershey North American Final Track Meet to be held on August 6 at Hershey, PA.

Among the duties for Lacciardi, a Coventry HS alum, is to oversee the program for the Juniors, those in grades 3 and 4, ages 9-10; and the Discovery program for Grades 5-8, or ages 11-14. He also supervises counselors and assistants, most of whom were former campers and CHS students themselves, or who currently attend the school. 

When all the results were tallied, there were 35 boys and girls who came in first or second, with many qualifying in two or more events in their age divisions.

One of the more remarkable performances in the heat was by Robert Thibeault, 14, of . From start to finish, Thibeault did not need to exert himself as he breezed to victory in a time not much longer than his time in the states last year. "I placed third in 6:03 in the Hershey Meet last year,” he said, barely winded. “I wanted to run at least another two laps. I'd like to do better this time and I want to run cross country and track when I go to the high school in the fall."

“I was out of breath after I ran the 400 meters,” said Cara Holstein, winner of the event in the ages 9-10 category. She and her peers talked about the events, some of which are run in schools. “It was fun,” she added.

Marissa Allen won the softball throw and will also run in the 4-by-100 meter relay. She just edged out her friend, Miranda Medeiros. "It felt wierd," said Allen, describing her throw.

All first and second place winners, respectively, were as follows:

Girls:

50 meters: Sara Steinkamp, Jaya Joyce, 9-10

100 meter dash: 9-10, Felicia Carlow, Katie Salemi, 11-12, Ellis Walls, Jen Brown; 13-14, Morgan Poole, Brooke Kerectezy

400 m: 9-10, Cara Holstein, Felicia Carlow; 11-12, Ellis Walls, Jen Brown

4-by-100 m relay: 9-10, Miranda Medeiros, Sara Steinkamp, Marissa Allen, Morgan Greenstein,

Long Jump: 9-10, Emily Mathews; 13-14, Katie Salemi, Megan Robillard

Softball Throw: 9-10, Marissa Allen, Miranda Medeiros; 11-12. Emily Matthews, Jen Brown; 13-14, Brooke Kerectezy, Morgan Poole

Boys:

50 m: 9-10- Michael Lussier, Tyler Alexander, 11-12; Gabe Landry, Nick  D’Ambra

100 m: 9-10, Daniel Ciummo, Caleb Robitaille, 11-12; Kolye Vankauskas, Hector Rivera; 13-14, Ian Landry, Colton Sleicher

400 m: 9-10, Ryan Garrett, Michael Lussier, 11-12, Kolye Vankauskas, Aiden Pierson

800 m: 11-12, Andrew Derrick, Branden Carden

1600 m: 13-14, Robert Thibeault, Will Sleicher

4-by-100 m relay: 11-12, Gabe Landry, Marcus Poccia, Ryan Blaze, Nick D’Ambra

Long Jump: 9-10, Tyler Alexander, Michael Lussier; 11-12, Kolye Vankauskas, Nick D’Ambra; 13-14, Ian Landry, Will Sleicher

Softball Throw: 9-10, Dylan Fortune, Jacob Martin;  11-12, Ryan Blaze, Marcus Poccia; 13-14, Richard Ledoux, Domenic Tamborelli

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