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05/06/2024 01:29 AMTrack and field is both an individual and team sport. It takes a lot of personal growth and development to succeed, but there is also a major community aspect involved when it comes to pushing towards prominence on the postseason stage. For the Guilford girls’ outdoor track and field team, every individual has their sights set on achieving higher marks this spring.
Part of what makes a track team so successful is its ability to stay focused and continue to improve. Head Coach Jonathan Rivera, who is currently in his 15th season at the helm, has seen his girls make major strides in their development throughout the campaign.
“The girls are 4-4 in dual meets this year. We have had a couple shorthanded days where we were short on depth in events due to illness and injury, but the girls are improving,” said Rivera. “That is what track is all about. Whether you are the fastest or the slowest on the team, the goal is to get better and improve.”
In the first competition of the season on May 10, a tri-meet vs. Lyman Hall and East Haven, Juliana Montgomery (senior, mid-distance runner) placed third overall in the 400 meters with a time of 1:08.6, which set her new personal record (PR). Ciara Davenport (sophomore, distance runner) won the 1600, and Indy Pelliccio (freshman, distance runner) finished in second in that event.
Every successful squad comes with good leaders, and Guilford certainly has that in its two senior captains this spring, Clara Gahm and Michaela Hogan. Both girls bring exemplary qualities to the track that make them consistently good mentors for their peers.
“Clara is a tremendous athlete who leads by example, always works hard, is friendly to all, does whatever is asked, and is always positive,” said Rivera. “Michaela is a very hard worker and always goes above and beyond to help the coaches and team. She does not need to be asked, she just does it. Both are great role models for the younger girls to follow.”
The Grizzlies compete in the Southern Connecticut Conference in the Housatonic Division and in Class MM on a grander scale.
On April 17, Guilford competed against Sheehan and Shelton in the second meet of the season. Ella Heckler (junior, sprinter) finished fourth overall in the 100 and second overall in the 200. Gahm finished second overall in the 400 and set a new PR. Davenport finished third overall in the 1600 and earned a PR.
With the team returning nearly 30 athletes this spring, the veteran experience has helped pave the way for an optimistic and promising season in many events, especially due to the knowledge and ability to strategize when it comes to a particular race or contest.
“We probably had about 30 girls returning with some new faces coming out this year from other sports,” Rivera said. “Experience is very important; knowing pacing, race strategies, and techniques, and building technique and confidence in field events are all very important. Most athletes have to work at their events to develop that success, so the experience is vital.”
On April 20, the Grizzlies competed at the Mongovan High School Girls Invitational. There were 17 teams total that attended the meet, and Guilford certainly did its part to ensure its group didn’t go unnoticed.
Three Grizzlies set new season records. Daniella Selig finished fourth overall in the 400, running a 1:04.26, Gahm won the 800, recording a time of 2:23.23, Summer Mangan (sophomore, distance runner) finished third in the 3200 with a 13:08.23, and Tea Davison (senior, sprinter and long jump) finished sixth overall in the long jump, jumping 14-11.
The 4x400 relay team (Selig, Heckler, Montgomery, and Camila Munroe) finished third overall and set a new PR, running a 4:31.96.
With a handful of athletes already setting new PRs and growing on their times, Rivera particularly highlights a few standout athletes that have helped mold the club into one of the premiere ones in the conference.
“Clara Gahm is so consistent, always gives a top performance. She’s a top performer and can run anything from 3200 all the way down to the 400, and very well too. She doubles back and paces teammates, which is a huge help,” said Rivera. “Anna Hastings has been coming along in the throws, really helping to score points for the team and recently made states in the discus, and she continues to get better every week. Her hard work is starting to pay off. Ella Heckler is having a tremendous season and running some of her fastest times of her career. She is really leading the way in the 100 meter and 200 meter races, as well as being an absolute rock for our 4x400 relay so far this year.”
On April 23, the Grizzlies competed against Lauralton Hall, Fairfield Prep, and Wilbur Cross.
Davison won the 100 and set a new PR with a final time of 13.61. She also set a new season record in the 200, coming in third with a final time of 28.42. Pelliccio ran her best time in the 3200 at 12:35.99 (new PR), placing third overall. The 4x400 relay team of Selig, Heckler, Paige Ponzio (sophomore, mid-distance runner), and Montgomery won and also set a new PR with a final time of 4:32.80.
For field events, Emily O’Sullivan (sophomore, thrower) set two new season records, placing fifth overall in the shot put (20’9) and fourth overall in the discus (62’2). Ava Seseske (junior, hurdles and long jump) won the long jump, setting a new PR at 14’9.
On May 1, the Grizzlies hosted Cheshire and Daniel Hand. Rivera explained that there was some comfort in having the familiarity aspect of being on their home court, which helped the girls to put together strong performances.
“The meet on Wednesday went well, we were running it so we were focused on making sure it was well run,” said Rivera. “It is always great to run in front of the home crowd and your own place.”
Heckler placed second in the 100, running a 13.36 (PR), and she placed third overall in the 200, running a 27.71 (season record). Gahm placed second in the 1600, running a 5:18.76 with a new PR. The 4x400 relay team (Selig, Cassie Ward (junior, sprinter and high jump), Ponzio, and Heckler), placed second overall and set a new PR at 4:22.48.
On May 4, the Grizzlies competed at the Middletown Varsity Track and Field Invitational. They finished 12th overall out of 30 teams. Olivia Jackson (freshman, sprinter) finished 10th in the 1600, setting a new PR with a final time of 5:31.90. The 4x400 relay team, consisting of Selig, Ward, Ponzio, and Montgomery, placed ninth overall, also setting a new PR with a final time of 4:28.82.
Although the Grizzlies have not only improved their times as both individuals and in relay events, it hasn’t been all highs, as an injury to a key athlete forced them to make adjustments early in the campaign.
“We lost an athlete to an injury, but she is working her way back now, so that is great to see but was tough for the team in the moment,” said Rivera. “Getting kids in shape that play other sports in time for the meets is tough. The season is so short and goes by so fast.”
As the team inches closer and closer to the postseason, Rivera hopes to see his athletes continue to strive for better times and placements and find themselves competing on the biggest of stages.
“My goal is to get as many kids qualified for the SCC Sectional Championship meets, as well as states, as we can; having as many athletes as we can get a PR before season’s end, as well as help the overall development of the program as a whole,” said Rivera.
Rivera is assisted by Jim Ford, who works with mid-distance and long-distance runners, and Ron Piombino, who works with the throwers.
The Grizzlies full roster is comprised of seniors Davison, Gahm, Hogan, Hannalore Koumpouras (sprinter and long jump), Jasmine Laryea (sprinter and long jump), Montgomery, and Jessica Spencer (sprinter and javelin). Juniors Heckler, Ava Sadlon (mid-distance runner), Selig, Seseske, Lily Sullivan (high jump), Rachel Vale (hurdles and sprinter), and Ward. Sophomores Sofia Apicella (sprinter), Hannah Brown (sprinter), Emma Clifford (distance runner), Camila Cordova (sprinter and high jump), Davenport, Hastings, Maya Kos-Graham (hurdles and sprinter), Olivia Koumpouras (sprinter), Isabella Lopez Henriquez Meza (sprinter), Mangan, Munroe, O’Sullivan, Sydney Pierson (sprinter), and Ponzio. Freshman Sienna Brackney (distance runner), Elise Caporale (distance runner), Sophia Fappiano (sprinter and javelin), Bryna Faulkner (sprinter and javelin), Julie Ferguson (long jump, high jump, sprinter), Jackson, Samantha LaVine (sprinter and javelin), Irene Opoku-Gyamfi (sprinter), Pelliccio, Sage Schroder-Wright (hurdles and sprinter), and Morgan Wilcock (sprinter).
Guilford Girls’ Outdoor Track and Field 2024 Schedule:
April 10: Finished second overall
April 17: Finished third overall
April 23: Finished first overall
May 1: Finished second overall
May 4: Finished 12th overall
Tuesday, May 7: vs. Amity at 3:45 p.m.
Saturday, May 11: 92nd Greater Hartford Invitational at 4pm (Friday), 9 a.m.
Monday, May 13: SCC Eastern Sectional at 2 p.m.
Friday, May 17: SCC Girls Novice Championships at 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 28: CIAC Class MM Girls Championships at 10 a.m.
Monday, June 10 to Wednesday, June 12: CIAC Decathlon, Heptathlon, Steeplechase, and Hammer Throw - Field at 10 a.m., Track at 3:30 p.m.