ST. ALBANS – Both the Hazen Union and Craftsbury Academy (CA) track and field teams kicked off their seasons last week at the BFA St. Albans’ Collins-Perley Sports Complex.
The Chargers put a good first step forward towards qualifying several of their young athletes for States for a second straight year last Friday. Freshman Aemilia Terrone posted impressive 3rd-place finishes in the 800m, with a time of 2:47.53, and in the 400m, with a time of 1:09.88. Lamoille’s Hailey Porter bested the field at 800m by nearly five seconds. Freshman Farrah Pepin of North Country took home the hardware in the 400m. Terrone capped off her first-ever varsity meet with a 5th-place finish in the 1500m for the Chargers. Sophomore teammate Linsey Allen finished 4th overall in the shot put behind event winner Morgan Shaffer of North Country. Fellow sophomore Nora Van Gulden had a strong opener for CA, securing a 5th-place finish in the 800m.
On the boys side, junior Kosmos Gletsos finished 3rd in the javelin with a throw of 28.06m and recorded a personal best for the Chargers in the shot put event. BFA’s Sam Hurteau conquered the javelin event and North Country’s Cullin Ward bested the field in the shot put.
Incoming Charger freshmen Jade Griggs, Ora Nobel and Eden Boggs all recorded personal bests in their high school track and field debuts.
“Our meet was pushed back a few days due to the weather. It was the first day before break, leaving us with only a handful of participants. Most of our throwers focus on the discus event, but it was canceled due to a flooded field. Nevertheless, it was a great kick-off for those who competed, and we had some great performances and solid efforts all around. We’ll use the break to continue to improve,” said CA head coach Kyle Anderson.
Hazen Union junior Daniel Pougnier had the best local finish of the day, a 28.94m personal best throw in the javelin, earning him runner-up honors. Freshman teammate Chris Tongolei posted a personal best throw in the shot put event in what was his first taste of high school competition.
Peoples Academy kicked off its season last Tuesday at CVU in midseason form. Senior Sophie Beck edged teammate Ellia Speers to win the 200m and blitzed the field in the 300m Hurdles event by nearly three seconds. Fellow senior Joseph Ellner edged U-32’s Evan Coates to take home the title in the shot put.
The Chargers are scheduled to be back in action next Tuesday in Colchester. Hazen is scheduled to travel to Lyndon Institute next Wednesday.
