Despite facing a challenging season marked by illness and setbacks, the New Canaan High School track and field teams have shown remarkable resilience and promise, according to head coach Jeff Brentson. In a recent interview, Brentson shared insights into the teams’ performance and his hopes for the upcoming spring season.
“We’re in championships right now,” Brentson began, reflecting on the team’s journey. “We managed to pull off a win at the division championships.” However, he acknowledged that the FCIAC championships were less successful due to a wave of illness impacting key team members. “Unfortunately, it’s hitting some significantly important people on our team,” he lamented, emphasizing the challenges they faced.
Despite these hurdles, Brentson highlighted several standout performances. In the boys’ team, New Canaan placed 8th in the overall team results with a total of 28 points. In the girls’ competition, New Canaan secured 11th place with 17.5 points.
Lauren Smith, New Canaan’s top shot-putter, shone brightly in the girls’ events. She broke the school record with her throw at the FCIAC championships, registering an impressive distance of 38-05.25, and qualified for nationals. “She’s definitely performing really well right now,” Brentson noted with pride.
In the boys’ 600-meter race, Spencer Paine secured the 2nd position with a time of 1:28.84, while Ryan Boulanger finished 2nd in the 1,600-meter race with a time of 4:30.42. Boulanger’s teammate, Wuinn Kilkenny, came in 5th in the same event with a time of 4:36.77.
Brentson also mentioned Charlotte Moore, a strong contender in distance running, who has been battling illness. “She’s one that could have won the one and two-mile at the championship,” Brentson said, expressing confidence in her abilities once she returns to full health. In the 1,600-meter race, Moore finished 6th with a time of 5:21.84.
In the field of jumping events, Cora Shooshan has been making significant strides. “She is starting to hit five feet plus in the high jump on a somewhat consistent basis,” Brentson revealed, indicating her potential to contribute significantly to the team’s success in future competitions. Shooshan secured 5th place in the high jump.
As the team looks ahead to the spring season, Brentson remains optimistic. “Hopefully we’ll be clicking by springtime,” he said, envisioning a scenario where his athletes are healthy and performing at their best.
