Exeter Track Competes in the USATF New England Championships
The Exeter winter track teams competed in 11 meets this winter season. Between the two teams, boys’ and girls’, Big Red had a combined eighty-one athletes.
The boys’ team found great success this season. The team performed well in a variety of events. Standouts in their individual events included upper Marcus Polk in hurdling, upper Mason Polk in mid-distance events, upper James Quinn and senior Mark Zavrl in throwing events and upper Tommy Miller in jumping and sprinting events. The distance team also performed well, as always, throughout the track season.
Off the track, the team also carried great chemistry and a competitive nature. The best of the team constantly pushed their fellow teammates to push harder. The team bonded well through their tough workouts and meets, and their positive attitudes helped carry the team to a great winter season.
In the highlight of the season, the Big Red smashed Andover on their track 71-31. In almost every event, Exeter dominated Andover track. Rival Andover had no chance. Big Red was just too talented.
The Exeter team also competed in the USATF New England championship where they faced college and professional athletes.
There were several top ten finishers at the USATFNE. Postgraduate Stephen “Chewy” Ucheomumu placed 6th in the 60m dash, Mason Polk placed 4th in the 200m dash and 6th in the 400m dash, Miller held 6th in the 200m dash, Marcus Polk grabbed 10th in 400m dash and 1st in the 60m hurdles, senior Luke Gray was awarded 8th in the 60m hurdles, senior Lloyd Campbell took 1st in shot put, lower Chudi Ikpeazu grabbed 2nd in the shot put and the distance medley team placed fifth. When asked about who should have a big impact on the team next year, Ucheomumu said, “Tommy Miller…will probably run at the division one level.” But as seen by the several other top ten finishers, the team has plenty of talent to carry the team in future seasons and years.
With a highly successful winter track season, Big Red achieved much of the same in the spring.
Meanwhile the girls’ team capitalized on their best events throughout the season. The girls’ team dominated all season in the relay teams, short distance, long distance and also in the mile run. Senior Helen Hutlin and prep Margaret Coogan stood out in the latter event and set Hall of Fame times.
While the girls’ could always count on their strong events, they performed commendably in their other events, as well. “I think we had most of the events covered across the board,” lower Jacie Lemos said. “There was someone for every event on [the team], and a lot of kids did a variety of events.”
But not all of the events were as strong as they could be. Lemos pointed out that despite the fact that captain senior Asile Patin competed well in the long jump, there could have been stronger performances from others. Nevertheless, the hard work that each athlete put into practices and meets all winter term surely paid off in the spring season.
As for the best meet of the girls’ winter track season, Lemos noted that the Andover meet seemed to top all. Although the girls were unable to come up with a win, the competitiveness of the girls really shined in the 55-49 loss.
The meet came down to the wire, and the team now knows that they can compete with the best of them.
The girls now have optimism for the spring season as the team will look to build upon their competitiveness and chemistry. Look for lower Katie Huffman and upper Elsa Chinburg to step into the role as team leaders while also putting up winning times.
Both of the teams will look to improve upon their chemistry from this season and also continue their success. The girls will look to get revenge on Andover while the boys look to defend their title four years running.