By Johnny Ferraro

NEW YORK CITY–The Staples girls varsity track and field team competed in the Apple Bank Hispanic Games at the Armory Track in New York City this weekend. There were over 5,000 athletes competing from 300 teams from 10 states plus Washington, D.C.

Coach Jesse McCray noted that the following Wreckers had standout performances in the meet: 

• Sarah Bogdan – Second place finish in The Invitational 3,000 meters. Ran her first race of the season versus Olivia Digaetano, the number one ranked 3,000m runner in the country. Sarah set a school record with a time of 9:59.51. Her performance qualifies her for the Nike and New Balance Indoor Nationals. Sarah currently is ranked second in Connecticut and 12th in the U.S. in the 3,000m.
• Taylor Black – Taylor had two personal best performances in the Long Jump and 55m. Taylor’s mark of 17′-03.5″ placed seventh in the long jump and her time of 7.53 in the 55m set a provisional mark for the Nike Indoor Nationals. Taylor is currently ranked sixth in Connecticut in the Long Jump
• Ellie Ferraro – Set a school record in the 400m with a time of 1:01.43
• Ellie Ferraro, Mary Stevens, Blake Dewitt, Taylor Black – opened the season with a provisional mark in the 4×200 relay with a time of 1:50.47 which happens to be seventh in the state.

Other notable performances:

• Manar Abis – Pole Vault 9-09 ft, 15-01 in the Long Jump
• Jacielynn Denny – 7.79 in the 55m
• Mary Stevens – 7.88 in the 55m

To view highlights of the Hispanic Games and all of the Staples Girls Track & Field meets, click this link: Staples Girls Track & Field YouTube Channel.

The Staples Girls compete again on Jan. 9 and 10 at the Yale High School Invitational in New Haven.