WESTPORT–Staples girls track is set to begin the indoor season and the Wreckers boast experience and skill up and down the roster. The Wreckers are scheduled to host five meets at the Staples Field House, beginning Saturday, Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. among several competitions in the region as they work toward postseason.

The Team Captains are Ellie Ferraro, Sarah Bogdan, Graysen Peters, Taylor Black, Jori Altman, Mary Stevens

SPRINTS:

The strength of the Wreckers is its sprint squad because they have runners that are capable of scoring in open events during the championship season and they take a lot of pride in their relay squads. The Wreckers have tall expectations from this group, especially the seniors, who have been contributing since they were freshmen. 

Taylor Black (Sr) – 55m, 300m, Sprint relay anchor

• Set a school record at the New Balance Outdoor National Championship in the 4×200 (1:46.99) in 2023
• 2x First Team All-FCIAC
• 3x Connecticut State open finalist/3x National Qualifier/2x All New England Qualifier on the 4x200m relay squad; Connecticut State Open Finalist 4x400m relay squad
• Team anchor on the 4x400m (4:06.59) relay squad that finished 9th in their division at 2025 Nike Indoor National Championships
• 4th all time in the 55m (7.54), 2nd all time in the 300m (42.60), 2nd all time 200m (25.82)

Mary Stevens (Sr) – 55m, 300m, Sprint relay specialist

• Set a school record at the New Balance Outdoor National Championship in the 4 x 200 (1:46.99) in 2023
• 3x First Team All-FCIAC
• 3x Connecticut State open finalist/3x National Qualifier/2x All New England Qualifier on the 4x200m relay squad; Connecticut State Open Finalist 4x400m relay squad
• Team member on the 4x400m (4:06.59) relay squad that finished 9th in their division at 2025 Nike Indoor National Championships

Elyse (Ellie) Ferraro (Jr) – 55m, 300m, Sprint relay lead-off

• Lead off runner on the 4×400 and 4×200 relay teams
• 2x First Team All-FCIAC
• 2x Connecticut State Open Finalist/All New England Qualifier/National Qualifier on the 4x200m relay squad; Connecticut State Open Finalist 4x400m relay squad; Ct State Open Finalist 300m and 400m
• Team lead-off on the 4x400m(4:06.59) relay squad that finished 9th in their division at 2025 Nike Indoor National Championships
• 4th all time in the 400m (59.49), 3rd in the 200m (26.18) 2nd all time 4×200 1:47.39, 4th in the 60m (8.75) as a freshman

DISTANCE:

Sarah Bogdan is the face of the distance program and she is a great leader of that group. She really took off as a premiere state-wide distance runner. Right behind her is Avery Kalter, who is finding success in the mid-distance range. She has been a very dependable runner. These two runners have the ability to inspire the younger runners to find a way to contribute to the overall success of the distance squad. 

Sarah Bogdan (Sr) – 1600m – 3200m

• All New England XC , All New England 3200m Outdoor Track, 2025 FCIAC Champion 3200m Indoor Track
• 2x First Team All-FCIAC
• Ranks 2nd all time in the following events Indoor 1600m (5:17.18), 2nd 3200m (11:16.29),1st 3000m (10:41.14)

Graysen Peters (Sr) – 4 x 800m relay team

• 3 time letter award winner 

FIELD:

Manar Abis is the face of Staples’ field events. She has shown the ability to compete in multiple events in every round of the championship. Due to her versatility, she has been the team’s top scorer. Jori Altman is also expanding her role, in addition to the jumps and throws she is now hurdling.  The team is hoping that she continues to progress. The depth of the field events is the pole vault group. In addition to Abis, the Wreckers have Madeline Sine and sophomores Emma Farkas and Lillian Forde and newcomer Kylie Steffa.

Jori Altman (Jr) – Multi event specialist Long Jump, Shot Put, short sprinter, 55m hurdles

• All New England Competitor 4 x 200m relay team in 2025
• Outdoor track FCIAC / Class LL qualifier in the shot put, long jump and 4 x 100 relay

Other notable performers

Manar Abis (Sr) Multi event specialist Pole Vault, Long Jump, Hurdles

• Outdoor Class LL Connecticut State Champion Pole vaulter (10-6), New England Championship Qualifier
• All FCIAC Pole vaulter
• Ranks 2nd all time in the pole vault (10’6), 5th all time in the long jump (17-0), ranks 2nd all time in the 55m hurdles (9.05) and 100m hurdles (15.99)

Avery Kalter (Jr) Mid Distance runner

• Kalter has shown steady improvement in the mid distance events and has a history of being a very competitive runner as an anchor on the Sprint medley relay and 4×800 relay team

Blake Dewitt (Jr)  Sprinter, relay specialist

• Connecticut Open State finalist 4×400, Placed 9th at the Nike National Championships in the 4×400 relay (4:06.59), 2nd all time 4×200 1:47.39

Madeline Sine (Jr) Pole vaulter

• Sine is a returning pole vaulter and the Wreckers are hoping that she will provide some potential depth during the championship season in the pole vault.

Logan Watkins (Sr) Sprinter 

• Watkins has specialized in shorts sprints and has a big role in rounding out the sprint medley team. She also adds depth to the relay squad.

Team Goals

Staples’ goal is to find an area for improvement each day. For the younger athletes, that means learning the process and finding way to improve every day. The Wreckers have a group of returning athletes who aren’t new to the expectations of the program. Staples hopes to be ready to perform at its best when it counts, in the championship season.

Notable Meets

Dec. 21 – Winter Beantown Classic – New Balance Track – Boston
Jan. 3 – Hispanic Games – Armory Track – NYC
Jan. 9/10 – Yale Invitational – Yale Track – New Haven
Jan. 16 – Steve Borbet Invitational – Armory Track – NYC
Jan. 24 – Puma International – Ocean Breeze Track – Staten Island
Jan. 31 – Western FCIAC Divisional – Staples High School
Feb. 5 – FCIAC Championship – Floyd Little Track – New Haven
Feb. 14 – LL State Championship – Floyd Little Track – New Haven
Feb. 21 – Open State Championship – Floyd Little Track – New Haven
Feb. 28 – New England Championship – Reggie Lewis Track – Boston
Mar. 11-14 – National Championships – Armory / New Balance – New York / Boston