The Branford boys’ outdoor track team has completed one phase of its campaign thus far, and based upon the strides made in that section of the season, the Hornets are more than primed and ready for the postseason.

With Kent Jackson at the helm this spring for his first season as head coach, Branford has a familiar face assisting him in working closely together with the Hornets’ athletes. Assistant Coach Rich Biondi has been coaching since 1989 and was Jackson’s predecessor for 23 years. Rich coaches sprints as well as all the jumping events.

Jackson explained that when it comes to a to-do list for the season this spring, he and his squad want to run the gamut in terms of state championship qualifiers while constructing a tremendous atmosphere where the boys can not only grow their athleticism but also their camaraderie amongst one another.

“As head coach, I prioritize the athletes’ development in their events, as well as a team culture where the athletes encourage one another and where everyone can enjoy the experience of being on the team,” said Jackson. “I believe that if the athletes develop their skills and are having fun being a part of the team, then winning meets will become a reality. I realize that it is important to balance the needs of the team to win events with the individual goals of each athlete. Myself and Coach Biondi set another goal this year to have a Class MM State Championship qualifier in each of the 18 events. To date, the team has achieved that mark in eight of the 11 track events and five of the seven field events.”

The Hornets currently have four captains in Colin Donahoe (mid-distance and relay events), Avery Atkinson (javelin, hurdles, and relays), Evan Bouley (throws and pole vault), and Ryder Kropiwnicki (pole vault, hurdles, and javelin). Jackson detailed that while they each are an essential part of the equation within competition, they contribute soundly to the sum of the synergy of the squad aside from it.

“Colin is a mid-distance specialist, an invaluable presence as the anchor leg of the 4x400 and 4x800 relays, and frequently runs the 400 and 800 as his individual events,” said Jackson. “Avery and Evan are both part of the dominant javelin squad, which has swept all nine points at several meets during the dual-meet season. As a decathlete, Ryder can be called upon in many different areas when the team needs to prioritize an event. Currently, Ryder is one of the top pole vaulters in the state and recently set a personal record of 14’2. They all play a very important role by providing leadership within the team and assisting the coaches in executing the goals set for each practice. The captains also take the lead in communicating with and organizing the athletes during competition.”

Additionally, senior Drew Schwartz is a rookie on the team who qualified for states in the javelin on his second competitive throw and has more recently set a personal record of 158’11. Fellow classmate Massimo Corrick is the top distance athlete on the team, recently qualifying for states in the 3200.

Juniors Dominick Zdunek, Sam Copolla, and Noah Hauswirth are, “primed to take lead roles in the mid and long distance events” per Jackson. Junior Enaji Muhammad has achieved the Class MM qualification in the high jump, long jump, and triple jump. Sophomore Coleman Shanley is emerging as one of the fastest sprinters on the team and has recently begun pole vaulting. From the freshman class, Jacob Tran is one of the new throwers who is finding success in both the javelin and the shot put.

Following concluding the dual-meet campaign on May 9 against host East Haven and Hand, the Hornets kicked off the postseason with the SCC West Sectional Championship on May 16. While being eternally grateful for the opportunity to coach a special crop of student-athletes, Jackson added that the team is ready to make a unique impact in the postseason standings.

“While aiming to be competitive at the sectional meet, the next goal is to best position the team to score well at the SCC Championships,” said Jackson, whose team finished the dual-meet season with a 5-3 record. “It is truly an honor and a privilege to be the head coach. They’re a great group of athletes who I enjoy working with every day as we build relationships, laugh together, and work hard to achieve goals.”

The 2023 Hornets’ team roster is comprised of seniors Atkinson, Chase Barnikow, Bouley, Nathan Chieffo, Corrick, Donahoe, Ronan Hayes, Tyler Hernandez, Kropiwnicki, Westley Rathbun, Schwartz, Kevin Zuniga; juniors of Ryan Andrus, Brandon Bui, Coppola, Samuel Harwin, Hauswirth, Sean Healy, Carter Moore, Enaji Muhammad, Maxfield Parsell, Tej Patel, Luis Perrotti, Michael Shaw, Saami Soomro, Zdunek; sophomores in Tahji Barnette, Zachary Berner, Peter DiStasio, Sean Howard, Utsav Khatiwada, Benito Kwadade, Gabriel Lawrence, Paul Lesyk, Michael Maler, Romeo Owusu-Boateng, Luksh Patel, Ariel Rodriguez, Shanley, Supremee Shrestha, Gavin Smiarowski, Jacob Sweeney, Benjamin Vitale, Nolan Weted; and finally freshmen with Gerald Acheampong, Alasdair Adsit, Quinn Andresen, Khari Barnette, David Buckley Jr., Charles Budz, Justin Cast, Jason Chaucer, Logan Ly, Chayce Redd, Tran, Mathias Verdesoto, and Francesco Zweeres.

Previously, Jackson was an assistant coach for the Branford girls’ track team for three years. Coach Jackson has also volunteered as the throws coach for both the boys and girls during the indoor season for four years and has been the assistant coach for Walsh Intermediate School cross country since 2019.

2023 Branford Boys’ Outdoor Track Season Schedule

Tuesday, May 16: at SCC West Sectional Championship at North Haven at 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 23: at SCC Championship at Bowen Field at 12 p.m.

Thursday, June 1: at Class MM State Championship at Willow Brook Park at 3 p.m.

Monday, June 5: at State Open Championship at Willow Brook Park at 1:30 p.m.

Monday, June 12: at State Hammer Throw Championship at Willow Brook Park at 2 p.m.

Tuesday, June 13-Wednesday, June 14: at State Decathlon Championship at Willow Brook Park at 10 a.m.

Wednesday, June 14: at State Steeplechase Championship at Willow Brook Park at 3:30 p.m.