Kingston High School senior Lauren Townsend is closing out her indoor track and field career on a high, earning a spot in this weekend’s New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) meet thanks to a second place showing in last week’s Section IX qualifier.
Townsend’s first-ever trip to the state tournament comes courtesy on a toss of 42-1 in the weight throw at the sectional qualifier held at West Point on Friday, Feb. 28. She’s ranked 15th heading into the state meet.
Kingston coach Joe Cahill said Townsend had put in the work to make the most of her opportunities this season.
“Lauren has worked extremely hard at her craft,” Cahill said. “She is fortunate to have knowledgeable and caring coaches for her to rely on. Her attention to detail and overall knowledge of the throwing events have helped her immensely. Lauren has relished every opportunity to better herself and her teammates … We wish her all the best as she prepares for her first state and national championship meets.”
Townsend will compete in the NYSPHSAA meet at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Ocean Breeze Park on Staten Island on Saturday, March 7. She’ll return to New York City the following weekend for the New Balance National Indoor Championships, held at the Fort Washington Avenue Armory in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan from March 13-15.
Townsend’s teammate Adrienne Crawford placed third in sectionals, coming up just short in a state bid with a distance of 35-8.50 in the shot put, a full foot-and-a-half further than her prior personal best. Crawford also placed fourth in the weight throw with a toss of 39-0.25. Kaliyah Lindsay’s fifth place time of 43.15 in the 300-meter dash preliminaries earned her a shot as an alternate on the Section IX intersectional relay team at the state meet.
Also faring well for the girls at West Point were Laelyn Derrise (6th, 300, 47.90), Kailyn Oreglio (9th, 3000, 11:46.52), Carla Bautista (10th, 1000, 3:19.59) and Thea Kovaleski (13th, 1000, 3:23.37). The 1600 novice sprint medley team placed fourth in 4:57.70.
On the boys side, Ethan Nigro was tops for the Tigers with an eighth place finish in the 55-meter high hurdles with a time of 8.66. Alcides Rojas (11th, weight throw, 45-5.25) and Lica Maneri (17th, 1600, 4:49.09) also excelled. The boys 3200-meter relay team finished ninth with a time of 9:08.25.
Cahill said he was pleased with how the indoor track season unfolded, largely due to the effort put in by the Tigers on the team.
“The indoor season was a success for Kingston,” he said. “While we were unable to have the team finishes we are used to during Championship season, we were able to make our athletes stronger, and faster. All while staying healthy. We had limited injuries this winter which can arise during to a variety of reasons.”
Cahill described his team as young, fewer in numbers than in the past, but very eager to compete.
“We were fortunate to have quality returning athletes,” Cahill said. “However, that number was on the lower side compared to past years. Although, we were young, in a sense, our athletes made tremendous strides to being contributors in the near future. As long as we have athletes will to be better themselves, their teammates and this program we will continue to be successful. Our district has been fortunate to have some hard-working, coachable and respectful student-athletes over the years.”
Cahill, in his 15th season at Kingston High, is in the enviable position of being able to carry on seamlessly coaching as the athletic season shifts from winter to spring. He’ll also have greater numbers on the roster than before. That presents a different kind of challenge.
“The transition from indoor to outdoor is fairly easy,” Cahill said. “We carry over the same athletes, typically. However, the addition of many new athletes makes managing the numbers a bit difficult. Especially, until we get know everyone’s name. Fortunately, we have five coaches in the spring as opposed to three or four during the Winter. This year we have 170 student-athletes signed up. That is the most I have seen since I have been here.”
The Tigers open their spring track season with a scrimmage at Dietz Stadium on Wednesday, March 25 when they host Saugerties. The season is officially underway on Tuesday, March 31 when they head to Pine Bush for a league meet.
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