Alix Neenan ’12
Staff Writer

Staples’ indoor track team fared well at both the CIAC Open Championships and Class LL Championships. The boys’ team placed third in Open and fifth in Class LL, while the girls placed 14th in Open and fourth in Class LL.

“The kids had a very good season,” Coach Laddie Lawrence said. “We’re not done yet.”

Lawrence said that the boys finishing fifth in Class LL was a “little disappointing,” but is happy with the team’s high placement in the Open.

Many Staples athletes succeeded individually as well. Paul Chandler ’10 placed first in pole vaulting, beating the person who placed second by two feet.

“Last year I got seventh,” Chandler said, who is pleased with how much better he did this year.

Chandler also placed fourth at Eastern States, which includes 13 states.

Another individual Staples victory went to Joselyn Henry ’10, who, at Class LL, placed second in shot put and third in long jump.

“It was pretty big,” said Henry about her win, who said she is “way too excited” for Nationals.

Placing in second for the 4×400 meter relay at the Class LL Championships were John Heil ’12, John Roche ’11, Sean Gallagher ’11 and Raphael Ray ’11.

Ray also placed second in the 300 meter and the 600 meter.

“I was pleased with my results,” Ray said, “I gave it my all.”

The boys’ 4×200 team, consisting of seniors Collin Carroll, Robert Cross, Jack Hennessy, and Aaron Kliegman, placed fourth at Class LL.

The girls 4×800 relay team, with Kylie Gould ’10, Georgia Kursten ’13, Kristen Weiler ’11, Emily Hanrahan ’11, and Caroline Smith ’12, placed sixth in both Class LL and Open.

Being in the relay “was really exciting,” said Weiler. They improved their time from last year by almost 45 seconds.

Overall, both boys and girls track did well at both State Open and Class LL. “We’re not done yet,” said Lawrence, who still has to worry about Nationals from March 12–14. “But we’re in good shape.”