Boys’ Track And Field Is Building New Team Indoors

December 22, 2009 by Greg Lederer

Rebuilding is a hot button term in athletics. Some programs avoid the word completely because of the implication that they don’t set their sights high each season. One sure thing this winter is that the Cheshire High School boys’ indoor track and field program is training with an eye toward the future. Cheshire graduated key contributors from the track to field, so they know that it will take time to develop a new group of athletes.
“We lost a lot of great athletes. You can’t replace that experience,” said Ryan Connolly, a senior captain alongside Sanjay Raha and Michael Gargiulo. “Underclassmen are stepping up into the spots we need to fill.”
Turnover isn’t the only change. Boys’ cross country head coach Jim Bennett has succeeded Tom Lewoc at the helm of the program. Bennett coaches distance runners during spring track and field, but feels there is a different dynamic indoors.
“It’s a different animal. There are no wins and losses compared to the dual meets outdoors,” explained Bennett. “I like the opportunity. He (Lewoc) has helped me transition into the position. Tom is a great resource on practices and he also encourages the kids within the school.”
With 60 athletes on the roster, one of the challenges is finding their best fit for the invitationals and championship meets next year. Cheshire visited the New Haven Athletic Center for their first of two Southern Connecticut Conference Developmentals on Dec. 17. Developmentals allow athletes to try to multiple events without scoring.
“They can test themselves and have a starting point. You can mix and match on relays,” added Bennett. “It provides the kids with a platform to qualify for states.”
Sprinting is an area of emphasis after Cheshire graduated standouts like captains Marcus Wright and Joe Gagliardi. Wright finished as one of the strongest runners in school history, winning the Housatonic Division and SCC 55-meter titles last season. He was the Class LL runner-up and qualified for the New England Championship, along with securing the Housatonic 300-meter title. Gagliardi and Wright, along with fellow graduates Greg Schrier, Ayan Chakraborty, and Paul Steller combined for sprint relays.
“The captains have been great so far. Their work ethic has been very good in practice,” said Bennett.
In the sprints, Connolly’s experience is critical. Connolly raced the 2009 Housatonic 55- (13th, 7.26) and 300-meters (fifth, 38.86). He also ran the 4x200-meter relay at the Housatonic (second, 1:36), SCC (third, 1:38.07), Class LL (fourth, 1:37), and State Open (13th, 1:36.85).
“It feels good to have a new coach. There is a new vibe and change at practice,” Connolly explained. “Tom (Lewoc) did do a great job. It’s different having a distance coach instead of a track coach.”
Connolly is already off to a good start. Despite breaking his hand during the football team’s run to the Class LL Championship, he reached the Class LL standard for the 55-meters on Dec. 17. Connolly was an SCC qualifier individually last season.
“It adds a second to my time,” stated Connolly, of wearing a cast on his hand. “I just have to take it one step at a time.”
Raha fill similar responsibilities for middle distance. He competed side-by-side with 2009 graduate Dru Nag, resulting in many tight finishes. A leader in the 600-meters, Raha competed at the 2009 Housatonic (sixth, 1:31.5) and SCC (13th, 1:33.06) meets. He also joined graduated runners on the Housatonic (second, 3:43.05), SCC (fifth, 3:42.88), and Class LL (ninth, 3:42.47) 4x400-meter relay team.
“It’s different this year without Dru. I’m still trying to push myself,” Raha said.
“Sanjay showed he is leader,” added Bennett, of watching Raha run middle distance at the first developmental. “I would imagine he would fit into the 4x400 (-meter) relay again.”
Gargiulo adds to deep group from middle to distance events. Seniors Mike Gozzo and Ralph Sacco handed off to Gargiulo on the SCC 4x800-meter relay team (fourth, 9:11.87), while classmate Sergey Lukashenko contributed to a Housatonic runner-up finish (8:45). Bennett has the advantage of coaching runners in previous seasons.
“We have an ongoing relationship. There is that level of trust there,” explained Bennett, who is looking for Lukashenko and junior Phil Caldwell to form a solid tandem in the 3,200-meters.
The Rams utilized graduates Pat Cavanaugh (captain), Josh Lucchina, and Sam Montclair from 1,000- to 3,200-meters last season. However, several newcomers will make up for that turnover. Seniors Curt Brown, Dan Harris, and Eric Ploch raced varsity cross country alongside Caldwell. Sophomore Adam Youngquist and freshman Sam Brown have further promise.
“They (4x800-meter relay) qualified for states and our goal is to make the State Open,” said Bennett. “We have a lot of guys that can contribute. I think competition helps in the relays because they want one of those four spots.”
Unlike last season, Cheshire will have depth in the jumps. Junior Orlando Marin returns to spark the Rams in long jump. In his first Housatonic meet, Marin placed fourth overall (19 feet, 5.25 inches) and advanced to the Class LL (14th; 18 feet, 5.5 inches). Senior Ryan Tartaglia was an SCC qualifier for long jump and high jump. Sophomore Jake Scinto, who advanced into Class LL high jump last spring, has made a smooth transition indoors.
“He jumped six (feet) two (inches) the other day, so Jake should be one of the top guys in the state,” Bennett said.
Technique events, like high jump, can take years to master. Graduation has thus dramatically changed the hurdle and throwing teams. Captain Varun Roy hurdled for four years with Ryan Cuppernull and was rewarded at the 2009 Housatonic meet. Roy won his first individual title in the 55-meters and finally reached the State Open.
Cheshire is also taking a development approach to the pole vault where they didn’t have a post-season competitor in the 2008-09 season.
“Experienced hurdlers are tough to replace. It’s a mental thing to keep your speed while timing the jump,” stated Bennett. “We have guys learning pole vault right now. There is a smaller pipeline for that event.”
The Rams are also building a new group of shot putters. Dan Mazzacane graduated as a two-time Housatonic champion and Tom Albanese transferred to Cheshire Academy. Junior Aaron Stevenson (Housatonic, fifth, 41 feet and 5.5 inches; SCC, eighth, 40 feet and eight inches) is the returning qualifier.
“The younger guys are throwing two feet better than last year and that is a good sign for us,” added Bennett.
The Rams will participate in another developmental (Jan. 5) before the Housatonic Championship on Jan. 12. Cheshire has placed second to powerhouse Amity for two years, taking fifth place (43 points) in the conference last February.
“Second (place) is a hard place to take,” said Raha. “I think we can contend in the Housy.”
Cheshire hopes to qualify more athletes for the SCC (Feb. 5), Class LL (Feb. 13), and State Open (Feb. 20). Many boys also compete for the outdoor team, so they hope to transition in good shape.
“I’m looking for personal development,” stated Bennett. “I want them to feel good heading into the spring season.”