Julie Hart

June 5, 2010 by Greg Lederer

Hart Makes Record-Setting Recovery On The Track

Cheshire High School senior runner Julie Hart had modest expectations for her final track and field meets. Tendonitis sidelined her until Senior Day on May 5.
“At first, it was tough mentally,” said Hart, a captain with classmates Rachel Aliotta and Sam Alberino. “My teammates helped me get back into it.”
She is surprised by her own recovery. Hart was the 800-meter runner-up (2:22.6) during the East Sectional on May 17, returning eight days later to capture the Southern Connecticut Conference title (2:21.06). Last Monday at the Class LL Championship, she made history in Manchester.
Hart broke the CHS (2:20; 1998 graduate Jill Trentham) and Class LL (2:16.27; 2009 Amity graduate Annelies Gamble) records. Yet, she finished third (2:16.16) behind stellar performances from Emily Campbell (Danbury; 2:15.64) and Lindsay Crevoiserat (Glastonbury; 2:14.88). Cheshire placed fifth overall with 40.5 points.
“They kept me motivated throughout the race,” reflected Hart, who lowered her time by nearly five seconds.
Hart has qualified for her first outdoor State Open, to be held Monday at Willowbrook Park in New Britain. Field events start at 1:30 p.m. with the track portion kicking off a half hour later. Last winter, Hart qualified for the statewide meet indoors. She lowered her school-record time (2:56.59) in the 1,000-meters, securing the bronze medal.
“I want to drop my (800-meter) time even more,” explained Hart. “My foot feels better.”