Colonie Boys’ Indoor Track Team Competes at State Qualifiers

By Jenna Noguera

02/17/2022

On Saturday, February 5, Colonie’s Boys Indoor Track and Field Team went to Hudson Valley Community College to participate in State Qualifiers. Two events ended up qualifying for the state meet, Ben Ross finished 3rd in the 300 meter dash, and the 4x400 relay ran by Aidan Norris, Ben Ross, Dylan Fox, and Jordan Goddard finished in 2nd.

15 members from the track team went to the meet, where they competed in the 55 meter dash, the 300 meter dash, the 600 meter dash, the 4x200 meter relay, the 4x400 meter relay, and the shot put.

The boys’ coach, Lisa Paperone was proud that so many of her students got to run that weekend.

“You have to hit a certain standard throughout the year, prior to now, to even go to the state qualifiers,” said Coach Paperone.

To qualify for the state meet, runners must place in first or second place, like the 4x400 relay team did. Ross placed third in the 300 meter dash, but he hit the time standard, so he advanced.

Because this meet was all about what place you earned, Coach Paperone encouraged her students to run their best and focus on place not time. Frank Prevratil placed sixth in the 600 meter dash, Jesus Sarda finished seventh in the shot put, and the 4x200 meter relay run by Connor Ploof, Derrek Casabonne, Johnny Weidman, and Savion Navedo finished fourth.

This was not the best meet for the runners because the indoor track at HVCC is not up to par. When Connor Ploof ran the 55 meter dash he tripped, causing him to finish in sixth place.

“Hudson Valley Community College is a glorified basketball court,” commented Coach Paperone.

The track is made of a material which doesn’t allow runners to wear running spikes, which are an integral part in competitive running, says Ploof. He also stated that the track is tight which makes the corners uncomfortable to run.

While Connor Ploof did not succeed at State Qualifiers, he is a successful runner. He is the only sophomore on the team who will be going to Nationals this spring.

“I am improving rapidly and am already being scouted by colleges, as a senior I’m expected to have multiple offers across a wide basis of schools and I am enjoying my progress,” said Connor Ploof.

Now the team is preparing for States and Nationals and continuing to compete in meets every weekend. Coach Paperone’s goal is that the two events will medal when they go to States.

The 2022 NYSPHSAA Indoor Track and Field Championships is on March 3, and will be held at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island.