On Saturday, May 10th, the Morgan Track & Field team, down three coaches, went to Old Saybrook to participate in the Running Rams Invitational. Competing against 22 schools, the Morgan boys’ team placed 13th overall, while the girls’ team finished 7th. Seven Morgan athletes earned medals and seven received new personal records (PRs) throughout the day.
The track invitational day started early. Although the Morgan Track & Field team is coached by Antonyo Serrano, Jordyn Suraci, and Katherine Suraci, but only Antonyo Serrano could attend the invitational on Saturday. That morning, athletes arrived at Morgan with their bags packed with their spikes, uniforms, water, and snacks, prepared to get onto the bus. After the bus ride, the school unpacked, setting up for the long day ahead.
Senior Michael Fusco had a strong outcome, earning 4th place in the 100-meter and 5th place in the 200-meter, winning medals in both. Although Fusco didn’t come in first or second, he claimed he was “satisfied with running PRs that day.” Sophomore Colton Landino and Junior Tristan Lorenzo Elliot both earned new personal records in the 200-meter with times of 24.72 and 26.37. This was Landino’s first time running the 200-meter as he was subbing in as there was an open spot. “I didn’t really know what to expect coming out of it, but I was happy with the results,” he said.
Freshman Michael Bowker set a new PR in the 800-meter with a time of 2:08 and medaled fourth in the mile. With his new 800-meter time, Bowker qualified for states as he “hopes to continue to PR.” In track and field, making states means that a relay or individual has qualified to participate in the state meet. Making states is a goal that many athletes train all season to reach.
The boys’ 4×4 team, Michael Fusco, Calder Holt, Andrew Costanza, and Owen Lombardi, earned a new PR of 3:41, medaling for the first time in 5th place. Freshman Andrew Costanza said that they “had a very positive mentality” while going into the 4×4. Costanza hopes to perfect their handoffs in the future and said he hopes they “run each leg as fast as we can.”
The girls’ team also had a successful result. The 4×1 relay team, Isabella Santello, Demi Rehberg, Destiny Rehberg, and Olivia Routolo, finished 4th, also taking home medals.
Freshman Isabella Santello ran her best personal record this season of 27.35 in the 200-meter as she finished 3rd, medaling. Sophomore Julia Shove set a new personal record of 1:02 in the 300-meter hurdles, while Senior Natalie Estabrook ran her personal record of 1:11 in the 400-meter. Estabrook was supposed to be in heat 2 in the 400-meter, but got switched to heat 3, which meant she was in one of the faster heats. Estabrook said, “I pushed myself a lot with the faster girls, and I was able to win my heat and get a personal record.”
Junior Addy Reed won first place in both the one-mile and two-mile races. As the weather on Saturday was windy, Reed states, “I was very proud of myself, and I’m just glad to pull out the win for both of them.”
The field events at Morgan consist of jumping: long jump, triple jump, and high jump. Furthermore, there are also throwing events in the field: shot put, javelin, and discus. In the field events, Senior Destiny Rehberg, who participated in javelin, earned a medal and finished 3rd. Rehberg said, “I look forward to this event every year, and it was a very fun experience.”
The Running Rams Invitational showed the Morgan Track & Field team’s growth and achievement. As many individuals and groups received new PRs and medals, Coach Antonyo Serrano has hope for the team as they finish their season. “I’m proud of the team and I hope we finish strong just like we started, and that everyone at least places in shorelines,” Serrano said.
