Three Goshen athletes qualified for the upcoming New York State Indoor Track Championship meet to be held at Ocean Breeze Sports Complex on Staten Island on March 2, but the story of the day was of spirited all-around performances.
The spirit began as senior Dametrious “Lalo” Esannason was top seed in the 55-meter dash, and in finals out-leaned the field to win in 6.593, punching his ticket to the State meet. Previously this season, Esannason ran 6.55 multiple times, setting a new school record in the event, and is eager to improve upon that time at States. He was also Section IX Champion in the 55m dash held earlier this month at West Point.
Senior Aidan Diglio ran to a new personal best and a school record in the 600-meter dash, clocking 1:24.01. Diglio held off a charging runner from Beacon to qualify for the Section IX intersectional relay at the state meet.
In the girls 1500-meter run, senior Julia Radjenovic competed in her first ever State Qualifier. Radjenovic made the most of her opportunity, as she qualified to run on the intersectional relay with a fast 4:47.34 to hold off a fast charging girl from Pine Plains. Radjenovic ran a personal best by over 10 seconds.
The girls 800-meter relay added more spirit as senior Riley Horn led off in 27.9, freshman Joy Sawyer clocked 27.4 and her sister Olivia sped through the third leg in 26.8. Senior Olivia Martin anchored in 27.9 to bring the team home in a school record 1:50.16.
The next personal record was put forth by sophomore Santos Avila. Avila cracked 39 seconds in the 300-meter dash for the first time, running 38.97.
The girls 600m produced the most spirited races of the day as the event was stacked with three talented girls and they all came through. First was the heat with sophomore Laila Logan and senior Gabriella Ukejianya. Logan wasted no time going to the front and came through the 400m in 64.7. Logan then ran away and won the heat in 1:43.88, a big personal record. Ukejianya also ran a personal best, finishing in 1:48.93. Later, Logan also cleared a personal record in the high jump at 4 feet, 10 inches to tie for 5th place.
Next to inspire was junior Ryan Schramm in the 1600-meter run. Schramm returned to racing a month ago after a long injury recovery and ran a season’s best of 4:41.55. Schramm’s final lap was a very fast 31.6 showing that he is now better than ever.
In the field, senior standout Nicholas Gati placed 5th overall in the weight throw with a personal best of 50 feet, 8 inches, improving on his school record set earlier this season. Fellow senior Riley Horn added a season best in the long jump at 15 feet, 11 inches.
The team set several school records throughout the season and with a healthy group of talented and motivated athletes, the immediate future for Goshen track and field looks bright.
By: Kyle Lewis
2024 Goshen Varsity Winter Track by the numbers:
- There were over 125 athletes on the winter track team this season, a record turnout for the indoor track program.
- Both the boys’ and girls’ teams won the Division III Championship for the 2nd consecutive year. The boys team dominated, scoring 70 points more than the second place team.
- 10 indoor school records were broken this season, with boys sprinters leading the way.
- Aidan Diglio – 300m (36.54); 600m (1:24.01)
- Dametrious Esannason – 55m dash (6.55); 200m (23.47)
- Jaden Bisono – 55m hurdles (7.64); high jump (6 feet)
- Nicholas Gati – weight throw (50 feet, 8 inches)
- Boys 4x200m Relay – Esannason, Diglio, Bisono, Hayes (1:32.80)
- Boys Sprint Medley Relay – Esannason, Diglio, Bisono, Hayes (3:43.91)
- Girls 4x200m Relay – Horn, O. Sawyer, J. Sawyer, Martin (1:50.16)