Herkimer boys track and field team captures sectional championship

The Herkimer Central School District boys track and field team won the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Section III Class C-2 championship on Wednesday, May 27, at Clinton High School, and several students won individual or relay sectional championships.

Relay victories and success in the hurdles fueled the Magicians’ highest-scoring team performance for Herkimer ever in a sectional meet – defeating Clinton 137-91.

“I am so proud of how these young men responded to the challenge and how they represented Herkimer High School,” Herkimer boys track and field coach Jason Richard said. “They knew they needed to be at their best. We have been training for this moment since March. I can’t thank the coaching staff enough for their dedication. It truly sets us apart from other programs. Coach Clarke (distance and high jump), Coach Couchman (throwing and pole vault), Coach Posey (sprints and horizontal jumps) and Coach Jesse Richard (hurdles). We have seen great growth in the program. Three years ago, we won our first league title with only 15 boys on the team. This year, we have 29 boys, and 13 of them will be competing in the state qualifier this week.”

In addition to the sectional championship, the Herkimer boys outdoor track and field team also recently won the CSC Division II league championship for the third year in a row. Additionally, the boys indoor track team won its second consecutive sectional championships this school year.

Members of the outdoor sectional championship team expressed their happiness with capturing the title.

“It’s definitely a great feeling – from falling short last year to winning this year is just an awesome feeling,” junior student Braysen Richard said. “But these guys deserve it – all the hard work they put in at practice really showed today. I am proud of all of my brothers.”

Senior student Shane Maxon shared similar sentiments.

“Ever since I joined in ninth grade,  the goal was to win a team sectional title,” Maxon said. “I knew it would be a difficult task, however, I knew immediately when I saw the team this year that this was our chance. Every single person on this team pushed themselves past the point of exhaustion throughout the whole season, and it really showed at sectionals. Every single athlete outperformed and crushed the competition. I am extremely grateful to have been a part of this team, and everyone truly showed what it means to be a part of Herkimer track and field.”

Herkimer ninth-grader Aldin Covic, who was runner-up in the pentathlon, also appreciated the team championship experience.

“As a freshmen, winning sectionals shows me that hard work and determination can put you on the same level as anyone,” Covic said.

The following Herkimer students won individual sectional championships in the events listed by them:

• Braysen Richard — 110-meter hurdles (15.50) and triple jump (43-2.75) 
• Shane Maxon — 400-meter hurdles (1:00.31)
• Flint Davis — 400-meter dash (53.80)
• Taylor Fitzgerald-Lamphere — pentathlon (2574 points)
• 4×400 relay — Logan Marusic, Willie Bellamy, Flint Davis and Shane Maxon (3:41.33)
• 4×800 relay — Shane Maxon, Gage Bassett, Nick Allen and Liam Miller  (8:40.87)

The following Herkimer students had top-six performances at the sectional meet in the events listed by them:

• Russell Stapf — second in discus and fourth in shot put
• Braysen Richard — second in the long jump and second in 400-meter hurdles
• Aldin Covic — second in pentathlon
• Logan Marusic — third in 110-meter hurdles and sixth in 400-meter hurdles
• Gage Bassett — third in 800-meter
• Liam Miller — fifth in 1,600-meter and sixth in 3,200-meter
• Shane Maxon – sixth in 110-meter hurdles
• Nick Allen – sixth in 1,600-meter
• Logan Decarlis — sixth in shot put
• Joshua Gotay — sixth in pole vault
• Brayden Cook — sixth in the 3,000 steeplechase