The Livingston High School boys ’ indoor track and field started the championship portion of its season at the Essex County Relays on January 20 at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex. The boys faced some of the toughest competitors in the state from St. Benedict’s Prep, East Orange Campus, and Montclair High School.
“The squadknew the task would be tough but were ready for the meet,” said head coach Nancy Petryna. “Many of the athletes ran personal bests, and two squads broke school records on their way to the first place trophy over St. Benedict’s by just .5 seconds.”
LHS started the meet with a win in the distance medley relay, consisting of the 1,200, 400, 800, and 1,600 meter distances. Alek Kasperski led off the relay, running the 1,200 before handing off to Corey Leavy, who sprinted the next 400 meters. Junior Danny Wang then took the baton to stay with the pack for the 800 legs before Ricky Romero finished off the relay with a strong 1,600 meter run to help the squad to a first place finish at 11:00.91.
Next up was the shuttle relay squad of Raalu Madubuko, Gabe Lopez-Simpson, Nick Siao and Kondwani Lwamba.
“The hurdle race featured a competitive group of racers from the other schools,” recounted coach Petryna. “Each boy got off with a clean ex and the squad finished at 32.28 for a third-place finish and critical points.”
Will Sun, Matthew Burt, Tugra Ovul, and Sean Tesoriero were the four members that made up the sprint medley team. Sun led the medley off with a quick 200 before handing the baton to Burt who also sprinted a 200. Ovul then took the baton, running a 400 meter leg before handing it to Tesoriero, who finished out the race with a personal best 800 meter leg. Their time of 3:44.00 placed them in fourth overall.
The 4x200 meter relay was next on the track.
“The squad already owned the fastest time in Essex County and were determined to keep the crown,” said Petryna.
Brandon Dong started the squad off strong before handing the baton to co-captain Chase Wade. Wade eased the team into a solid lead before passing to co-captain Chase Kaufman, who continued to build the gap. Kaufman then passed the baton to co-captain Luke Petryna, who strengthened the lead and crossed the line with a new school record of 1:28.59, currently second in the state and 11th in the country.
The distance runners were back on the track after a brief rest for the 4x800. “Co-captain Shane Lyons led the team off with the task of securing a spot in the race amid all the elbowing that is notorious of the 800 meter race,” noted the coach. Lyons then passed to Wang running his second 800 of the day. Liam McGuirk then took over with his personal best 800 race of the year. Romero then anchored the team home with a time of 8:33.05 for fifth place.
While the runners were busy on the track, juniors GraysonAlpert and Karim Barakat were busy throwing the shot put at the end of the facility.
“With both boys improving this season,Alpert heaved the shot 39’10” and Barakat, 37’1.5” to earn the squad a third place finish overall and critical points.”
With only one race to go, the Lancers were in second place behind St. Benedict’s Prep. The final relay was the 4x400 meter. St. Benedict’s ran in the first heat and set the challenge with a fast time of 3:28.14.
“The Lancers, running in the last heat, knew that only a first place finish would be enough to win the championship,” said the coach. “Petryna, Leavy, Kaufman, and Wade were focused and ready for the challenge.”
Petryna led the group out with a strong first leg before handing to Leavy, who fought hard on the track to hold LHS in a tight race with East Orange. Kaufman then took the baton and helped to bring the squad well into the lead before handing the baton to Wade. Wade then battled with the top 400 meter runner in the state before overtaking him on the final turn, crossing the line at 3:21.14 and smashing the school record by seven seconds. The win gave the LHS team the championship trophy, edging St. Benedict’s Prep by just .5 seconds.
Novice Race
Also competing in the meet was the novice 4x8 squad. While members’ efforts did not go to the team scoring, explained coach Petryna, “the group made a statement by placing first in the division with a time of 8:57.06.” The race was competed by Nick Gemellaro, David Flores, Jake Ferrans, and anchored by Ryan Kropac.
Next up for the LHS squad is the Individual Essex County Championships on Sunday, January 28, in which a team title is also up for grabs. The team will compete as well at the Metropolitan Invitational in Manhattan on Wednesday, January 24.
