Printed From Acorn-Online.com
Falcons split meet
May 8, 2008
by Andrew Horvath
In some events the Joel Barlow High boys track team was clearly dominant. In others it could have used some points.
Hosting Bunnell last Wednesday, April 30, the Falcons stayed close to the defending South-West Conference champs but in the end came up short 79-71. It had little to worry about from Immaculate, however, in a dominating 137-12 win.
“We did the best we could,” said Barlow coach Jerry Bielizna. “We just didn’t have the depth to get Bunnell.”
Barlow finished first in eight events while sweeping two. Russ Fallo took won the high jump by clearing five feet, 10 inches.
Another victory was in the pole vault. John Galli finished first at 10’ 6” with Kyle Harrold going an even 10 feet for second.
Picking up his second victory of the day, Russ Fallo also took first place in the triple jump at 40’ 6”.
Barlow’s Mike Levene switched from his usual long distance events in an attempt to earn points in mid-distance. The plan worked as he took first in the 400 meters with a time of 51.2 seconds. Levene also took first in the 800 in 2: 08. Paul Carleton was close behind him at 2:25 for a second place finish.
The Falcons dominated the long distance events, starting with the 1,600 as Charlie Goldburg, Connor Robey and Levene finished first through third, respectively. Two of these three also scored in the 3,200 as well. Goldburg again was the winner again and this time Robey was third. In between was Connor Stauffer as the Falcons swept the event.
The Bulldogs were strong in a number of the field events. Aside from the pole vault, high and triple jumps Barlow’s only first place showing was in throwing. It came in the last event as Apostolos Matsikas had a distance of 43’ 2” in the shot put.
However, the highlight of the day came in the 4x400 relay. Thomas Heinold, Carleton, Christopher Moyer, and Levene ran this event and Barlow and Bunnell were even at the final hand-off. Both Levene and the Bunnell anchor runner remained neck-in-neck until the final turn, when Levene put on a final burst and won the race by a ten meter margin.
“I’ve been waiting to see Barlow beat Bunnell in the 4x400 for years,” said Bielizna.
Now 5-5, the Falcons visit Pomperaug on Tuesday and also take on Masuk and Oxford.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers