GHS boys' track team seeks conference repeat

GHS long-jumper Nick Rice gets some hang time in the meet vs. East Hartford on April 27. Photos by Steve Smith.

The Glastonbury High School track team has only one loss - to Windsor- so far this year.

Coach Tracey Hollenbaugh said that the Tomahawks still plan to win the NCCC, as they did last year.

“A couple of things have to happen for us to do that,” she said. “We could be right back there again. We also plan to get as many people qualified for the Class meet as we can.”

After the team's first home meet vs. East Hartford on April 26, Hollenbaugh said she has a better sense of where players are, in terms of injuries and conditioning.

Two senior captains - Anthony Offiaeli and Sam Scannell - are also big contributors to the team's success.

“Anthony is one of our best sprinters,” Hollenbaugh said. “He's actually coming off an injury he sustained toward the end of indoor season. He'll be coming back strong, and we look to him to be a solid performer in the 100- and 200-meter, as well as the 4-by-100.”

“Sam is what we call our utility guy,” Hollenbaugh said. “He's such a great athlete. When all these people were coming up hurt, like in the hurdles, Sam would pick it up. He's now undefeated in the 300-meter hurdles.”

Hollenbaugh said a lot of track athletes simply have a natural ability, and that since there is no real feeder program, many who excel in other sports find track to be a good fit.

“We pride ourselves on taking anyone, and really developing them as a whole complete package, and making them better. We can take athletes that are really good in other sports, and make them really good track athletes. Track allows them to try things they perhaps wouldn't have done, and they find they're good at it. Then it's their baton to carry,” she said.

If there's any key to the season, it's staying healthy.