Article by Phoenix writer Nicholas Cortese ’23:
The Boys Track and Field team put in some solid performances during the Christmas Break.
At the North Shore Invitational, the boys made a successful return to the Armory Track, considered to be the world’s fastest indoor track. Malachi McCaskill, Evans Linzey, Kavon Morris, Nicholas Baldwin, Mario Sanabria, and Justin McKenzie turned in solid times in the 55 meter dash and the 300 meter dash events with most athletes turning in their season or personal best times. Malachi and Evans placed top 30 in the 55 dash. Evans, Mario, and Nicolas placed in the top 30 in the 300 dash. Coach Green’s “hurdle crew” of Danny Carsey, Ryan Mroz, Will Mullin, Luke Stackpole, and Matt Gavagan set season and personal bests in the 55 meter hurdles. Ryan also came back with a solid distance in the long jump.
The boys were far from finished after the North Shore Invitational. At the Christmas Classic, the sprinters scorched the track. Evans and Kavon once again rose to the occasion, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 55 meter dash. Evans came back to win the 300 meter dash, which earned him Strider of the Meet honors, with Nicolas finishing fourth in the dash. Kavon returned with a third place finish in the long jump, closely followed by Ryan in fifth place. Ryan was the surprise of the meet, winning the triple jump in his first ever time competing in the event. The Freshman Sprint Medley relay team of Ethan Linzey, Luke Franolic, Michael Gornstein, and Daniel Meenan earned silver medals. The shot put team showed out in their event, as a whopping ten participants threw for personal or season bests.
At the CHSAA Novice Championships, the boys continued with more strong performances. Darren Rhooms, Dasani Millien, Camilo Serrano, Felipe Montes, Joseph Cohen, and Thierry Jean-Calixte ran personal bests – Cal’s in the 55 and 300 dash events. Giuseppe DiDomenico set a personal best in the 1000 meter run. Noah Jackson and Colin Marsanico ran strong times in the mile. The 4×200 “A” team of Kavon, Evans, Malachi, and Mario finished in 5th place, while Michael Haskell and Ethan Thomas united with Nicolas and Danny as the “B” team, finishing in 10th place. The “hurdle crew” all ran strong times, and Ryan Mroz earned Strider of the Meet honors, winning the high jump in his first ever attempt at the jump. Ryan, who’s success in the jumps this season have also earned him the nickname “Jumpman” from the coaching staff, reflects on how he’s quickly blossomed into a vital piece of the track program. “Athleticism is something that I have prided myself on for a very long time, and I am glad that I’ve been able to put it to good use with the track team.”
The Kellenberg Track and Field team has found success throughout the beginning of the season, and they show no signs of slowing down.