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01/08/2016 11:00 PMBoys’ Indoor Track
The Hornets competed at their second SCC developmental meet of the season on Jan. 7 and saw their 4x800 relay of Luke DiStasio, Zach Ellison, Marshall Borrus, and Marzio Mastroianni qualify for states by crossing the finish line in 3:59.39. DiStasio also earned a states berth in the 300-meter dash by running 39.04. Eamon Duffy was right behind by finishing in 39.28.
At the Alpha Owl Invitational at Southern Connecticut State University the following day, Mastroianni made states in the 1,600-meter run with his mark of 4:50.99. Coach Rich Biondi was also pleased with the showing of Ricky Tratnyek in the 1,600 (5:08.16); in addition to the performances put forth in the 1,000 by Joe Borst (3:06.59), Andrew DeBenedictis (3:11.49), and Ryan McCarthy (3:12.28).
“Marzio and Ricky, just freshmen, have really stood out in the early meets. Both are talented, enjoy competition, and they are not fearful. They have a very bright future in the sport,” Coach Biondi said. “Another freshman, Andrew DeBenedictis, has steadily improved since cross country and he has also begun to put together impressive performances. From a coaching standpoint, it is going to be enjoyable to watch them progress this season and in the spring.”
Girls’ Indoor Track
Branford saw several athletes record state-qualifying performance at the second SCC developmental meet at Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven. The Hornets who made states were Issy Bysiewicz in the 300-meter dash (time of 46.31 seconds), Cyrene Nicholas (1:45.35) and Bysiewicz (1:45.89) in the 600-meter run, Claira Janover for the high jump (4 feet-8 inches) and long jump (15-5), as well as Taylor Brown and Bridget Wirtz in the pole vault behind their heights of 7-6. Other notable showings were delivered by Raissi Bysiewicz in the 1,600 (6:09.18) and Keira Integlia in the shot put (27-10).
“We had a number of athletes qualify for states and a few more very close. A few more good weeks of training should get them ready for the championship season,” said Coach Kevin Connell. “Raissi Bysiewicz ran a very strong race in the 1,600. She’s been working hard and is getting closer to cracking that six-minute barrier.”
Then at the Alpha Owl Invitational on Jan. 8, Etta Hanlon came in first place in the long jump by reaching 15 feet-9 inches, with Issy Bysiewicz in second at 15-0.5. Both athletes made states in the event as a result those distances. Bysiewicz also made the cut for the state meet in the 55 hurdles by running 9.69 for fifth place and Wyntre Fries finished the event in 10.55. Three Branford athletes also qualified for states in the 1,000 in Nicholas (4th, 5:32.81); Courtney Cosgrove (10th, 5:47.45); and Anneliese Troidle (11th, 5:50.15). Additionally, Wirtz went 8.17 in the 55 and hit 7-6 in the pole vault to take third alongside Brown, who had the same height. Hanlon took ninth in the vault at 7 feet even. Also, Integlia threw 27-1.75 in the shot put for 11th place.
“Bridget Wirtz has been very consistent in the 55 this season. She has been our top finisher, but is only three-hundredths of a second from state qualifying. She has also had a very good season in the pole vault, where she has qualified for states,” said Connell. “We just finished a very intense part of our schedule with four meets since Dec. 30 and the girls performed very well. Now we can get back to some serious training the next week or two and get ready for great performances down the road. We have some athletes—Issy Bysiewicz, Claira Janover, Cyrene Nicholas—who have had a stellar season so far and others right on the cusp.”