By Christopher DeMuth
The New Canaan indoor track and field teams delivered a strong performance at the Wilton FCIAC qualifiers on January 17, turning in standout results across sprints, distance races, hurdles, and field events. With athletes competing in nearly every discipline, the Rams showed balance, consistency, and a strong performance from both rookie underclassman and returning upperclassman leadership.
From dominant distance performances to personal records in the sprints and steady results in the field, New Canaan has set themselves up as a strong force in the FCIAC conference moving into the full swing of the season.
Boys Team Delivers Dominance in Distance Events
Senior Ryan Monohan anchored the boys’ team with a remarkable night, winning three separate distance events and setting the tone for the meet. Monohan captured first place in the 1000 meters, 1600 meters, and 3200 meters, showcasing both speed and endurance.
His 1000-meter win was especially impressive, as he controlled the race from the early stages and finished decisively. He followed that performance with a strong victory in the 1600 meters, where he maintained a smooth pace throughout. Monohan closed out his night by taking first in the 3200 meters, completing a rare triple win that highlighted his versatility and conditioning.
Boyd Cousley backed him up with an excellent series of performances. Cousley placed near the top in the 1000, 1600, and 3200 meters, recording season-best marks in multiple events. His consistency across races gave New Canaan valuable points and showed the team’s strength in the longer distances.
Additional depth came from Cooper Smith, Michael Cantu, Jake Tirana, and Samuel Dunn, all of whom competed well in the 1000 and 1600 meters. Several runners posted personal records, a strong sign as the season continues to build.
Boys Middle Distance
The boys’ 600 meters was another highlight, with multiple Rams finishing in the top half of the field. Sean Deasy led the group with a strong seventh-place finish and a personal record, while Matthew Sisser followed closely behind. Senior Niko Nikeas rounded out the trio with a solid performance that added to the team’s overall talent.
In the 300 meters, New Canaan showed impressive range. Anthony Westhead placed near the front of the field, setting the pace for the Rams, while Max Volanakis followed with a season-record performance. Willem Wrede and Brandon Barua also competed well, helping New Canaan place multiple runners across the event.
Boys Sprint
The boys’ 45-meter dash was one of the most crowded events of the meet, and New Canaan filled the results sheet with a long list of competitors. Charlie Koch led the Rams with a strong finish and a personal record, followed closely by Willem Wrede and Luke Gencarelli, both of whom also ran season-best times.
Younger athletes made their presence felt as well. Freshmen Leandro Bardales, Avery Kerchoff, William Dougherty, and Henry Wexler all competed with strong performances. Several posted personal records, signaling positive development early in their high school athletic careers.
Boys Hurdles and Field Events
In the 45-meter hurdles, Peter Tsapralis delivered one of the boys’ top technical performances of the day, finishing second overall with a personal-best time. His race execution was sharp and controlled, earning him a spot near the top of the standings.
Tsapralis also contributed in the pole vault, where he placed second with a personal-record clearance. His performance provided a major boost in the field events and demonstrated his versatility.
Luke Gencarelli added another strong result for the Rams by placing second in the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 6 inches. Gencarelli also competed in the sprints, making him one of the most well-rounded athletes of the meet.
In the shot put, Conor Deasy led the boys with a personal-record throw, while Cannon Nardini followed with his own best mark. Christopher DeMuth and William Ntiri rounded out the group, each showing well, showing improvement.
Girls Team Matches Intensity with Top Finishes
The New Canaan girls team delivered an equally strong performance, highlighted by wins, podium finishes, and impressive depth across multiple events.
In the 1000 meters, Lola Gonzalez claimed first place with a dominant performance. She established her position early and held steady through the final laps, giving New Canaan a major victory on the track.
The 600 meters proved to be one of the team’s strongest events. Grace Pellicci finished second overall with a smooth and consistent effort, while Andra Doneit followed with a solid fifth-place finish. Freshmen Charlotte Skidmore and Evelyn Langworthy both recorded personal records, another example of young runners stepping up.
Girls Sprint Events
The girls’ 45-meter dash featured a large group of Rams, with Tate Salerno leading the way and earning a personal record. Julie Frangione and Abigail Greenhut followed closely behind, both also setting personal bests. Several freshmen, including Gemma Diotte, Amelie Mitra, and Casey Tobin, gained valuable experience while competing against a deep field.
In the 300 meters, New Canaan turned in one of its strongest collective performances of the meet. Grace Pellicci finished second with a personal record, while Kate Frangione placed third, also with a personal best. Salerno, Diotte, and Greenhut all ran season-best times, showing improvement across the board.
Girls Hurdles and Field Events
The girls’ 45-meter hurdles was a major highlight. Kate Frangione won the event with a season-record time, followed closely by Milana Hutchins in second place, who also set a season best. Jules Huang placed seventh with a personal record, while Elle Thompson and Anna Trofimova rounded out the group.
In the pole vault, Frangione continued her strong meet with a second-place finish, while Julie Frangione placed third and set a season record. Jules Huang added another personal record in the event, further contributing to the team’s field success.
Milana Hutchins delivered an excellent performance in the high jump, finishing second with a season-record clearance. Her effort added to an already strong night that included her hurdles result.
In the shot put, Cambree Plater led the Rams with a fourth-place finish and a personal-record throw. Abigail Greenhut also posted a personal best, continuing her strong all-around meet.
Gemma Diotte represented New Canaan in the long jump, finishing fifth and adding another solid field result for the team.
What stood out most at the Wilton meet was New Canaan’s balance. The Rams were competitive in nearly every event, from short sprints to long distance races, and from technical field events to hurdles. Veterans delivered reliable results, while underclassmen gained experience and posted personal records.
The large number of personal and season bests suggests the teams are building momentum at the right time. With athletes contributing across events and lineups showing depth, New Canaan appears well-positioned for the remainder of the indoor season.
