Track and Field News and Update

By Aaron Stanger ’24 Panel Staff

As the track and field team begins their spring season, new stars are emerging from all grades and events. In the distance squad, several cross country stars from this fall are taking on the 3k and 1500 events. In the 3000, Will Trautz emerged as a top ISL contender. Having run a 9:46.91 on April 15th, Will has already qualified for Nationals in his first track season. Meanwhile several other young distance runners are making strides in the 1500. Nate Voss ‘24 and Davis Woolbert ‘25 both ran within 2 seconds of 4:40. While they look to break into the 4:30s, the team’s depth is also shown through Max Roman ‘25 and JP Fernandez ‘25, who are both in the low 5:00s.

In addition, the team has several strong middle distance runners and sprinters. Miles Sandoski ‘24 continues to dominate the 800m, running a 2:03 on April 15th and looks to break well under 2:00 as the season progresses. Among the rest of the middle distance runners, James Lyon ‘25 and Cole Sparks ‘24 remain top ISL contenders. Several sprinters, including Ashton Cruz ‘25, Chris Milm- oe ‘23, and Anthony Galvagna ‘24 are all under 25 seconds in the 200m, while Max Ramanathan ‘25 and Jordan Summers ‘25 are making strides in the 100m, each looking to progress sub 12 seconds.

Among the jumpers, Justin Li ‘26 is consistently leaping over 18 feet in the long jump and over 40 feet in the triple jump, making him one of the best Belmont Hill freshman ever in the event. Meanwhile, Jackson Pagan ‘24 continues to dominate the 300 hurdle, running a 42.15 on the 15th. Will Lloyd ‘23 is picking up right where he left off, hitting 6’ 2’’ in the high jump.

Tying for first at the first meet, Nick Gleason finished with 9’ 6’’ on the pole vault. Although the team’s throws have been historically weak, this season’s lineup is very promising. Josiah Gomes ‘24 won the first meet of the season with a 48’ shot put, while Scott Black ‘24 and Nick Ascione ‘24 dominated the javelin, throwing 142 and 135 respectively. The depth of the throwing team is lastly exhibited in the discus where Thomas Rupley ‘25, Josiah Gomes ‘24, and Samson Onuoha ‘24 took first through third in the first meet.

Unlike football, golf, or most other ISL sports, there is no regular season tro- phy. Instead everything comes down to one ISL meet at the end of the season. With the main competition being Milton, Middlesex, Roxbury Latin, and Thayer, the team looks to continue last year’s momentum and take home another ISL championship. Given this postseason, Coach Harder remarks, “So on, given that day, everyone’s gotta be healthy and gotta perform well.” Up until ISLs and New Englands, the team will continue to build on the momentum from their first meet, where they beat Milton, Thayer, Middlesex, and Lawrence Academy on April 15th. The Panel congratulates the track and field team and wishes good luck to them in their remaining meets! ☐