The boys and girls outdoor track teams have both done the impossible- had an undefeated season, and won the championship meet. This accomplishment was a first for both the boys and girls. Last year, the girls team had no losses, but had a tie with Watertown. The meet was intense, with the Watertown girls 4×1 disqualified for dropping the baton, and some issues with the javelin throwers’ gloves.Last year’s meet could have been the motivating factor for the girls, to strive for a perfect record. The NVL championship meet this year was held at Naugatuck High School, and the girls’ team placed first with a total of 135 points. Naugatuck came in second with 99 points, and Seymour was third with 96.
This year, the boys’ team was neck-in-neck with Holy Cross at the last NVL meet of the season. Through much dedication, the boys were able to come out on top. “Both the boys and girls are very excited to be league, and NVL champions. We all worked together and had a great undefeated season. We were looking forward to the NVL championship meet, and we won that too,” stated sophomore, long distance runner Jeff Giusto. At the championship meet, Woodland boys won with 141.5 points. Holy Cross was in second with 98 points, and Seymour in third with 88.
Co-Captain Audra Blewitt led the team to their victories. Blewitt recently achieved 33 feet in triple jump, qualifying for the state meet. “[Winning] was inevitable. We all knew we could do it, and we did it. Now we are waiting for our plaques.”
Senior Mike Lang ended his high school track career at NVLs with three gold medals. He placed first in triple jump, long jump, and hurdles. He also earned three awards- Most Outstanding Senior, Most Outstanding in the Field, and Most Outstanding Meet Performance. “We have great coaches, great teammates, and are collectively, a great team. Everyone is supportive of each other.” Lang is seeded first in the state for triple and long jump.
Other senior state qualifiers include Erika Tyrrell in discus, Jack Pinho in the 800, 1600, and 4×8, Ashley Michie in the 4×1, 100, 200, and Levi Fancher qualified for javelin, shot-put, and discus. “At this point, all the athletes can do is focus and try their hardest,” Head Coach Jeff Lownds stated.
