WOODBURY 一 The Nonnewaug girls 1,600-meter sprint medley relay team earned a coveted spot at the New Balance Indoor Track Nationals in Boston on March 14. After a season of dedication and hard work, these girls were ready to showcase their speed and teamwork on the national stage.
The meet brought not only excitement but opportunity to run among the best of the best. Ellie McDonald, a senior who ran in the relay, had a good time with her team making many new memories.
“I think we ran very good,” said McDonald. “It was never like anything I’ve experienced before. The atmosphere was crazy, it just made you wanna run good. I definitely came out strong and everybody followed. We set ourselves to a standard and we know we have more to show as a team and individually this outdoor season. Overall the race went well and I am so proud of my team and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish this outdoor season. We worked so hard, and to see us finish with a PR at nationals was amazing.”
The Chiefs’ quartet placed 32nd out of 69 teams, finishing in 4:16.78. Sophia Garguilo, a junior at NHS who ran in the relay, said she had an amazing experience for her first time going to nationals.
“It was a really cool experience getting to go to such an amazing place to run, and I got to watch a lot of talented people. I’m happy that we got to PR, and I hope I can go again for outdoor,” Garguilo said. “The track was really cool and getting the experience just having the chance to run with and against the best was amazing for me.”
New Balance Nationals is always an amazing experience and opportunity. Maddie Garguilo, a freshman at Nonnewaug who attended for her second year, loved the feeling of being able to run at the highest level. Garguilo ran the freshman girls 800, placing 15th, and the freshman girls 400, placing 40th.
“I thought that it was a very-eye opening experience seeing all of the really good people run. Just being there with my team was a really fun experience,” said Maddie Garguilo. “I feel like it made us all closer. Our team did well; we beat our PR and I think we can improve more in the future.”
Gianna Perugini, a freshman who ran in the relay, agreed that attending nationals was an amazing experience.
“Nationals was a really cool experience. It was nice to see a lot of amazing and competitive athletes,” said Perugini. “It was really fun and we did good. I am proud of our team and I am really excited to see what amazing things we are going to do during the outdoor season.”
