Boys Outdoor Track Inches Closer to Western Mass Meet

Outdoor track is hoping to end their season with a bang.

Both the boys and girls teams will be competing in the Western Mass meet tomorrow afternoon.

It’s what both teams have been building up to since the beginning of the season.

However, the last meet of the regular season celebrated more than just the Western Mass and state tournaments on the rise.

Following the end of last Tuesday’s meet was a ceremony that honored all eleven of the seniors on the boys team and eight on the girls team. 

The underclassmen of both teams gathered and cheered as all nineteen seniors were recognized.

It’s this type of encouragement and positive energy that has come as a result of the boys team’s captains, senior Ben Cangemi, senior Andrew Violette, and junior Charlie Klatka, creating a family-type environment.

“We had so many guys try out, which was great, but it definitely took some time to get to know everyone and form these special bonds,” Klatka said. “We have team dinners after almost every track meet, which is unique and forms great team chemistry.”

“At the beginning of the season there were a lot of new kids, so I didn’t really know how to connect with them. But, as the season went on, we really made a connection,” Violette said. “There’s a lot of potential for growth in the program. While everyone on our team is competitive, it’s also about having fun.”

Cangemi expanded on how not just the captains, but a lot of the upperclassmen have set the example in terms of competitiveness and reaching their full potential.

“What I learned from the indoor season helped a lot with how effectively I could lead the team,” Cangemi said. “Charlie and I, along with Vincent, Nolan, and Connor have done a really great job at setting an example for the dedication and hard work that is required to set yourself apart from the other runners and compete at higher levels.”

Their hard work and dedication will be put to the test at their Western Mass meet, but the captains are confident.

“I feel ready,” Klatka said. “I’ve been working hard all season for these championships and know that some great things are within reach. As a team, we have been putting in hard work ever since last summer because we knew how good we could become.” 

“I feel very well prepared for the Western Mass meet,” Cangemi said. “I still haven’t lost a 400 meter hurdles race, so I’m hoping that I can come in first for that event. As a team, I think we have made some incredible progress through the course of the season and I think that we are going to be close to the top of the leaderboard for most running and jumping events.”

Specifically for Klatka, the event he wishes to succeed in is the one mile, hoping to leave the Western Mass meet “knowing I just won against some really good competition.”