Local track teams shine in Districts

Bartlett's Rocco DiStefano and Oxford's Emily Dawidczyk 

Text and Photos By Steev Riccardo

“Sweet Assassin” Dawidczyk steals show at District Meet

Although there were many great performances at the District E Class Championship meet in Shrewsbury last Saturday, it was Oxford High’s Emily Dawidczyk who stole the show, winning both the long jump and the 200-meter dash in the Class B.

Oxford High School and Bartlett High School had competitors in Class B competition, while Shepherd Hill was in Class A.

Dawidczyk had been struggling with a back injury that was a concern for her coming into the District meet.  You couldn’t tell, though, as her time of 25.68 in the 200-meter dash was the best time of the day in all three classes.

“I was definitely nervous about how my back would hold up but thankfully it didn't bother me. Leading up to the meet I rested and went to therapy and really focused on just getting better for this busy part of the season. Hopefully my back injury is far out of sight from now on. It'll be really important to keep myself healthy.”

Her back proved not to be a factor as Dawidczyk was able to emerge victorious in her top two outdoor track events.

“To finish first in the 200 at districts again was surreal. It proved to me that my hard work has been paying off, and it's preparing me for future big meets. To break my own class record was also a great feeling of accomplishment,” said the Oxford High junior.

Pirates’ senior captain Jordan Orrell also a good showing, finishing a strong second in the 400 meter dash.

Bartlett’s Alicia Garamy came in third in the javelin throw.  Amy Panczyk finished in eleventh place in the long jump and Kellie Powers was 11th in the two-mile run for the Bartlett girls.

On the boys side, Bartlett senior Rocco DiStefano has a great meet for Bartlett, finishing second in the javelin throw and third in the 400-meter run. 

Nikita Truhanovitch also had a strong showing for the Indians, placing third in the 110-meter hurdles and fifth in the triple jump.

Senior Arthur Hackenson finished second in the discus throw and sixth in the shot put for Bartlett.

The Pirates’ Ezekiel Kyei had a great meet, finishing fourth in the triple jump and second in 110-meter hurdles.

Shepherd Hill senior Chris Patrinos had a great meet for the Rams in the Class A division, finishing second in the long jump and fifth in the triple jump. 

The Rams’ Leo Harman came in fourth place in the 800-meter run and senior Pat Tilly finished in sixth place in the high jump.

The Shepherd Hills girls has an excellent meet.  Rams’ senior Emily Mattson finished second in the high jump. Her teammate Lexi Poirier came in fifth place.

Freshman Juleanna Schultz came in second in two-mile run, while sophomore sensation Stella Worters also came in second place in the mile- run.

Shepherd Hill Senior Kaleigh Durkan

Rams’ senior star Kaleigh Durkan also had a great meet with a fourth place finish in the 300-meter run for the Rams while her teammate Emily Thibuad was fifth in the 400-meter hurdles.

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