By Brynn McGuiness, Staff Writer

New school records and high-placing finishes highlighted the track team’s winter season under the leadership of head coach Tony Avallone, assistant coach Chelsea Bollerman and senior captains Olivia Almeida and Caroline Meany, and junior captain Ally Lawson.

Junior Isabel G. races through the finish line in the 400-meter run at the NJCTC Wayne Letwink Memorial Winter Championship on Feb. 2 at the Ocean Breeze Track & Field Facility in Staten Island. (Photo by Isabella Giallanza)

At the Non-Public B State Championship on Feb. 28 at the Toms River Bubble, 13 Monarchs competed for the opportunity at a state title in over 15 running events. The team placed fourth overall, with junior Isabel Garcia leading the way with a win in the 400-meter run and a second-place finish in the 800-meter race. Junior Charlotte Walsh placed third in the 55-meter hurdle race while the 4×400-meter relay team of Almeida, senior Morgan Feiler, senior Sydney Riepl and junior Gabby Sorrentino took third as well. Other top-10 finishes were recorded by freshman Alexandra Lupu in the 1600-meter, senior Ryen Miller in the 55-meter, Riepl in the 800-meter, Sorrentino in the 400-meter and Walsh in the 55-meter.

Garcia’s state title in the 400-meter was the school’s first in that event. “I was so happy after seeing all the hard work I’ve put in this season finally pay off,” she said. 

Before the big meet, the community held a pep rally for the track team during the lunch period on Feb. 28. The athletes who were competing were called up on the stage alongside Bollerman, where they answered questions about the season and their progress. The student body then cheered the runners on and wished them luck for their upcoming meet. 

Junior Charlotte W. (left) leaps to a third place finish at the Non-Public B State Championship on Feb. 28 at the John Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex in Toms River. (Photo by Isabella Giallanza)

Throughout the season Riepl, Sorrentino and Walsh broke previous school records in their individual events, as has the 4×400-meter relay team of Almeida, Garcia, Miller and Riepl. 

Six runners represented Trinity Hall at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions at Ocean Breeze in Staten Island on March 8. Garcia in the 400-meter (1:00.66), Walsh in the 55-meter hurdles (9.40), and Almeida, Feiler, Riepl and Sorrentino in 4×400-meter relay (4:21.08).

“We have proved to the rest of the Non-Public B conference and the state that we are a force to be reckoned with,” Lawson said.