Written By K. Urban
The 2013 Boys PVIAC Winter Track season was one for the record books. From Alexander Niemec of Chicopee Comp winning All States in the long jump, to Blake Croteau of Westfield breaking the Smith College one mile and two mile records at the PVIAC Championships.
This year is shaping up to be no different. The first meet is in the books, and already some strong performances have been shown.
Below is an event by event preview for the upcoming PVIAC track season. Keep in mind, any individual is capable of having a strong breakout season. These previews are based primarily on the first meet of the season, last year's Winter and Spring Track results, and in the case of the distance runners, the recent Cross Country season.
55m Dash
Expect junior Taj-amir Torres of Amherst-Pelham to continue his absolute dominance of this event. Arguably the region's best athlete, Torres holds the Smith College PVIAC Indoor record in the 55m dash at 6.49 seconds, and is the defending 100m New England Champion. Torres has the fastest returning time in the 55m, and is the preseason favorite to win the All State title. Also expect Marvin Lovett of New Leadership to place high. The junior placed 4th at last years PVIAC Championships.
55m Hurdles
Springfield Central's Edison Perez is also one of the region's top athletes. The senior won last year's PVIAC Championships in the 55m Hurdles with a time of 7.93 seconds, and placed third at the All State Meet in the 110m hurdles. Other athletes to keep an eye on are seniors Tyler Vacarro, Ryan Kirton of Holyoke and Robert Robles from Chicopee Comprehensive.
Mike Ruffo of Westfield holds the PVIAC Smith College 55m Hurdles record at 7.6 seconds, which was set back in 2005.
300m
Also expect Edison Perez to dominate in the 300m, after coming off a second place finish in last years PVIAC Championship. Nick Jacques of Westfield is also a contender for the 300m title, the Senior had the fastest overall time in the event at the first PVIAC meet of the season with a time of 37.40.
Alex Ellsworth of Agawam holds the PVIAC 300m record with a time of 35.6 seconds, which was set back in 2005.
600m
Senior Russel Wells of Minnechaug Regional High School is the returning PVIAC Champion in the 600m, and one of the best mid-distance runners in the state. The senior posted a second place finish time of 1:24.10 at the Division II State Championship last year. Wells faces some competition with Senior Allen Vance from Amherst-Pelham. Vance posted a time of 1:24.94 to win the first PVIAC meet. Other runners to look out for are Tristan Cote of Agawam, or Michael Cabral of Holyoke. The talent runs deep in the 600m.
Robert Miller of Westfield holds the PVIAC Smith College 600m record with a time of 1:24.76 which was set in 2007.
1000m
Connor Evans of Amherst-Pelham is the preseason favorite to win the 1000m, with the fastest returning time. Cheyenne Grabiec of Westfield
Alexander Sullivan of Norhtampton holds the PVIAC Smith College 1000m record with a time of 2:35.57 which was set in 2012.
One Mile
Senior Samuel Conway of Minnechaug has the fastest returning time in the mile, and is coming off a very strong Cross Country season that saw him win the Individual WMass title. He is among the handful of distance runners who could make a splash in this event. Other runners to look out for in the mile, who could very easily double in the two mile, are Zabien Shaw of Mahar, Ryan Stender of Amherst-Pelham, Ben Doiren of Westfield, and Liam Garvey of West Springfield.
Blake Croteau of Westfield
Two Mile
Similiar to the One Mile, the Two Mile is filled with several distance runners who could win the individual title. Ryan Stender of Amherst-Pelham has the fastest returning 2 mile time, and finished in the top 5 at the Division I All State Cross Country Championships. Samuel Conway of Minnechaug should also be a factor in the two mile, along with Ben Doiren of Westfield, and Liam Garvey of West Springfield.
Blake Croteau of Westfield
High Jump
Jack Devine of Minnechaug is a strong high jumper, and had the highest jump to win the first PVIAC meet of the season. Expect Devine to perform very well at the All State level. Other jumped to look out for are Darion Sadri of Pioneer, Robert Proulx of Holyoke, and Nate Riley of Agawam.
Alexander Niemec of Chicopee Comp set the PVIAC record in the High Jump with a jump of 6'08 last year.
Long Jump
After winning the first PVIAC Meet of the season with a jump of 22 feet, 5 inches, Darion Sadri of Pioneer is the clear favorite to win the PVIAC Long jump title. Other names to look out for are Phillip Mathers of South Hadley, Jack Devine of Minnechaug, and Taj-amir Torres of Amherst-Pelham.
Alexander Niemec of Chicopee Comp holds the PVIAC record in the Long Jump with a jump of 23 feet.
Shot Put
The Shot Put should be a very close event to watch this year. The three top throws at the first PVIAC meet at Smith College were all within an inch of each other. Dominic Marconi of Holyoke Catholic had the strongest throw at 43-10, and was closely followed by Veniam Darmanchev of Greenfield and Mike Reed of Agawam.
Mark Staples of Chicopee holds the PVIAC record in the Shot Put with a time throw of 54'03.75 which was set in 2006."