GREENSBORO, N.C. – Several Westfield High School boys’ track athletes truly are on their run of a lifetime.
A small group of Westfield High School boys’ track stars will be competing this weekend at nationals.
Senior Ryan Prenosil will lead the way for Westfield. Prenosil is expected to compete in three events – the 1600 meter and 4×400 meter relays, and the 800 meters. He fought his way into the 800-meter race with a personal and school record of 1:54.28.
RYAN PRENOSIL
Prenosil will team up to run the 1600 meter relay with junior Eric Bone, senior Cameron Jacque, and sophomore Brenden LaForest. The 4×400 meter relay team also features LaForest, junior Sam Winarski, and senior Gabe Piepergerdes, a recent pentathlon champion.
“This is an amazing experience for these kids, something for them to remember for the rest of their lives,” Westfield boys’ track and field coach Ben Hatch said. “Just to be here is insane.”
For several local student-athletes, qualifying times improved as the stakes became much bigger during runs at Western Mass., states, and New England competition.
“It’s just part of the training process,” Hatch said in describing the late surge of some of his male athletes. “It allows their bodies to fully peak at the end of the season. Now it just comes down to how much they want it.”
The small contingent of Westfield athletes and their coaches raised close to $2,000 to help offset travel costs. The Bombers will not be able to show their “true colors” at the weekend competition though. Because the event is privately-sanctioned by New Balance, student-athletes will not be allowed to wear their school uniforms.
The times of the events are as follows – 1600 meter relay (Saturday, 1:10 p.m.), 800 meters (Sunday, 11:15 a.m.), 4×400 relay (Sunday, 12:55 p.m.).
The meet will be live streamed at http://cdn.runnerspace.com/nbnolive.html.
NOTES: Hatch also credited the team’s sprints coach, Steve Talbot, for his contributions to the team. Said Hatch: “The athletes would not be here if it wasn’t for his guidance and expertise as well.” … The Westfield girls’ “A” team (Bianca Hiltz, Moira McDonald, McKenzie Chaban) finished second overall at the heptathlon. Hiltz set a new school record, coming in seventh. McDonald was eighth; Chaban, 13th. Bombers’ freshman Nicole Servetnik placed 20th.
