Wreckers finish at 18-1

The Staples boys outdoor track team fell short of a n undefeated season on Thursday after losing 78-72 to Danbury. Staples defeated host Ridgefield (115-35) and Greenwich (139-11) to finish the regular season at 18-1.

Wreckers Coach Laddie Lawrence said, "We would have liked to have won because we would have been division champions and finished with an undefeated season. I am not displeased with the performances though. There were a lot of improvements, a lot of PR's, and kids qualified for states which had not qualified yet. So it is a mixed feeling."

Going into the meet, Staples knew Danbury would be its toughest competition. Senior captain Johnny Foster said, "Our strategy for the meet was to create a lineup that scored the most possible points against Danbury." The Wreckers allowed Danbury to win the 4x800 meter relay by not putting out their strongest line-up, in hopes that some of their better runners would place higher in later events.

Staples senior Mike White won the 200-meter dash. Foster said, "Mike White had an outstanding performance, coming out of nowhere to win the 200."

Junior Raphael Ray won the 400 meters and sophomore John Heil took second in it. Ray, Heil and juniors Jack Roche and Sean Gallagher carried the 4x400 meter relay team to victory.

The Wreckers did well in field events. Senior Devin Graber won the shot put. Staples swept the pole vault behind senior captain Paul Chandler's victory. Classmates Casey Collasurdo and Eliot Bass took second and third, respectively.

Lawrence said, "All of the races were very close an all the times for Ridgefield, Staples, and Danbury were very good. There were some outstanding times in the 1600, 800, 400 and 200 and relays were great. Field events were good as well. It was a very high quality meet, definitely the best of the season."