Girls’ indoor track team beats Milford, boys 0-2

The CHS girls’ track team won its first meet of the season last week, beating Milford 50-44. The boys’ team, rebuilding in talent and numbers, lost for the second time this season 66-25 after falling to Stoughton 70-21 in the season opener.

With 46 team members, the girls have the numbers and the depth to go far this season. The team lost its first meet on December 8 against Stoughton 49-46 as several of the team’s shot putters were unable to compete because of previous scheduling commitments. The league opened the schedule unusually early this season, whereas in past years all teams had two full weeks to practice before the first meet.

The girls are led by several talented multiple-event participants — including Mellyn Costello, Lauren Berman, Michaela Kelly, Eleni Papadopoulos, and Amanda Eagles — and this was evident in Saturday’s meet against Milford.

Costello won the 55-meter dash (7.97 seconds), 55-meter hurdles (9.62), and the long jump (15’5”). Berman won the mile (5:21.54) and placed second in the 300-meter race (44.82). Kelly won the 600 (1:45.95) and placed third in the 300 (45.07). Papadopoulos won the 1,000 (3:30.86), and Eagles placed second in the two-mile (11:50.10) and third in the mile (6:04.7). Other top performers included Alexa MacQuarrie, who finished third in the 55-meter dash (8.3), and Catherine Song, who finished second in the 600 (1:54.05).

Head coach Dan Ashman said the girls’ team is deep and there is competition in every event. He said he will not be surprised if the team wins the remainder of its league meets. The team has five captains: Costello, Berman, Erika Boughter, Papadopoulos, and Tiffany Moy.

Leading the boys’ team is Obi Nwankwo, who competes in the 55, 300, and 600 meter races, and Craig Mills in the 600. On Saturday, Nwankwo won the 55-meter dash in 6.98 seconds and the 300 in 36.74 seconds. Mills won the 600 in 1:27.80.

Other top placements for the boys’ team included Somto Ofonagoro, third, 55m, 7.25 seconds; freshman Patrick Hession, third, 600m, 1:34.58; Ian Mills, second, 1,000m, 2:50.87; and Matt Waldman, third, shot put, 31’10”. Ofonagoro also placed fourth in both the 300 (42.73) and long jump (13’8”).

The team only has 25 members, which Ashman said is not enough to fill every event. The team is still accepting participants. Nwankwo and Mike Rota are team captains.

Ashman, coach of both teams, comes to Canton after a stint as head coach of both the indoor and outdoor girls’ track teams at Framingham High School. He graduated from Burlington High School in Vermont, where he competed in the 200 and 400-meter races. He is currently a physical education and a health substitute teacher.

This year’s assistant coaches are Joe Cusack, Brandon Beloin, and Hilary Crable. Both teams will next take on Sharon at Boston University.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Dec 20 2012. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.