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06/26/2023 07:32 AMFor the Branford boys’ outdoor track team, its focus for 2023 was two-fold in that the squad wanted to garner respect not only amongst its opposing schools but each other within the Hornets’ hive. Branford certainly met each of those tandem targets by soaring to new heights and racing to rousing results.
The team ended with a winning record of 6-4 during a tough dual-meet season which saw the Hornets competing against some much larger schools. Nevertheless, there were state-qualifying performances in 15 out of the 18 events. The only events the Hornets missed qualifying marks in were the 4x100 relay, 1600 and 300 hurdles.
When the dust settled, the Hornets’ coaching staff truly loved what it saw as the boys not only dispersed representation at states, but they additionally did it with wide grins on their faces while endearing themselves to one another and enjoying each other’s company and support.
“When the season began, there were two goals: Restore a culture of team spirit where athletes and coaches demonstrated mutual respect and encouragement and achieve Class MM performances in as many of the 18 events as possible,” said Head Coach Kent Jackson. “Myself and Assistant Coach Rich Biondi have a philosophy that begins with developing the skills and techniques needed through focus on developing skills and technique for competition. Secondly, it is vital to create an atmosphere of enjoyment and fun. Thirdly, winning meets and setting personal records, which will come as a by-product of the first two.”
The team camaraderie fueled the fire for superb solo showings. Individually, notable personal-best performances included junior Enaji Muhammad clearing six feet-three inches in the high jump, senior Colin Donahoe running a time of 1:56.25 in the 800, senior Drew Schwartz throwing the javelin 178’ 7”, plus senior Ryder Kropiwnicki clearing 14’6” in the pole vault, and senior Massimo Corrick finishing the 3200 in 10:10.51.
One exciting moment occurred at the Last Chance Housy Meet held in Cheshire on the day before state qualifying ended, where senior Ronan Hayes posted a 118’ 10” discus throw, exceeding the qualifying standard by three feet and 10 inches.
“The team really gelled in practice, as personal records and state-qualifying performances were celebrated after every meet,” said Jackson. “Athletes created fun challenges and light-hearted competition as they worked to improve their skills, heights, times and distances. The Armory Run was a staple of the post-meet workout. With only four coaches leading both the boys’ and girls’ teams, it was essential that the captains and event leaders step up to assist in daily workouts, and they did not disappoint.”
For the postseason, Branford finished fifth at the SCC West Sectional meet on May 16 with 67 points before placing seventh with 40 points at the conference championship a week later with 40 team tallies. At SCCs, the most notable showings included Donahoe’s runner-up placement (1:56.25) in the 800, Schwartz’s javelin title-winning toss of 171’ 9”, and Kropiwnicki’s 14’ 6” mark in the pole vault to finish first. These three athletes were recognized as First and Second Team All-SCC for those first and second-place performances.
At the Class MM State Championship meet on June 1, Schwartz and Kropiwnicki both finished with first-place performances, earning All-State honors in the javelin and pole vault, respectively–an event that saw the Hornets crack the top 10 by coming in ninth as a team (30.5 points).
At the State Open Championship on June 5, Branford was represented by Donahoe in the 800 (ninth in 1:56.78); Kropiwnicki for the pole vault (fourth place, 13’), and Schwartz (runner-up for the javelin at 169’ 11”). Schwartz then capped off an amazing rookie campaign with a fourth-place performance in the javelin at the New England Championships, where he saved the best for last and threw his personal record toss of 178 feet-seven inches to earn All-New England Team accolades in the process.
For team awards, Donahoe was awarded the Desire & Dedication plaque, sophomore Peter DiStasio was voted Most Improved, and Schwartz was bestowed with the Rookie of the Year honor.
Additionally, the coaches named Kropiwnicki as the Team MVP for his work both on the track and in the field, plus Evan Bouley received the Coach’s Award for, per Jackson, “his work in fostering a positive team atmosphere and always being present and available to help with anything, from encouraging his fellow athletes during workouts to making sure equipment was properly handled and accounted for at meets.”
In looking ahead to 2024, Jackson and Branford anticipate that Muhammad will continue his growth in the jumping events, junior Dominick Zdunek will be a leading force among the middle distance athletes, and juniors Sam Copolla and Noah Hauswirth will lead the distance squad.
DiStasio and fellow sophomore Sean Howard will be among the rising stars on next year’s team on the track, as well as junior Maxfield Parsell, junior Sean Healy, and freshman Jacob Tran among the throwing crew. Sophomore Coleman Shanley is one to keep an eye on in the pole vault and sophomore Zach Berner promises to be one of the top sprinters.
“Looking towards next season, the team will continue to grow in numbers and achieve greater success as the athletes continue to encourage their friends to join the team both for the joy of competition and the love of team spirit and mutual encouragement,” said Jackson.
The bright future was illuminated further at the Novice (JV) Championship meet. Some of the notable performances included the 4x100 relay of freshman Charlie Budz, sophomore Romeo Owusu-Boateng, freshman Alasdair Adsit, and sophomore Benito Kwadade (fifth in 49.99); the 4x400 relay with sophomore Supremee Shrestha, Kwadade, Budz, and Owusu-Boateng (second at 4:05.30); and the 4x800 foursome of sophomores Nolan Weted, Paul Lesyk, freshman Matthias Verdesoto, and sophomore Gavin Smiarowski (fifth place in 10:50.52). In the field, Healy finished fifth for the discus (83’3”) and Tran found fourth for the javelin (98-4).
In the end with the dust finally having settled, Jackson heaped praise upon his senior class, in particular the fantastic four captains that really took the reins and led the charge.
“The seniors, especially captains Avery Atkinson, Evan Bouley, Ryder Kropiwnicki, and Colin Donahoe will be greatly missed for their dominant performances and effective leadership,” said Jackson. “A successful season was defined by improved skills by the athletes, a light-hearted and encouraging atmosphere among teammates and coaches at practices and meets, and winning performances and personal records from the dual meets all the way through the New England Championships.”
The 2023 Hornets’ team roster is comprised of seniors Atkinson, Chase Barnikow, Bouley, Nathan Chieffo, Corrick, Donahoe, Hayes, Tyler Hernandez, Kropiwnicki, Westley Rathbun, Schwartz, Kevin Zuniga; juniors of Ryan Andrus, Brandon Bui, Coppola, Samuel Harwin, Hauswirth, Healy, Carter Moore, Muhammad, Parsell, Tej Patel, Luis Perrotti, Michael Shaw, Saami Soomro, Zdunek; sophomores in Tahji Barnette, Berner, DiStasio, Howard, Utsav Khatiwada, Kwadade, Gabriel Lawrence, Lesyk, Michael Maler, Owusu-Boateng, Luksh Patel, Ariel Rodriguez, Shanley, Shrestha, Smiarowski, Jacob Sweeney, Benjamin Vitale, Weted; and finally freshmen with Gerald Acheampong, Adsit, Quinn Andresen, Khari Barnette, David Buckley Jr., Budz, Justin Cast, Jason Chaucer, Logan Ly, Chayce Redd, Tran, Verdesoto, and Francesco Zweeres.