The CCSU track and field program hosted the NEC Championship for the first time this weekend, so it was only fitting that some local talent helped the Blue Devil men’s team capture a third straight title.
Here’s more on each of the local athletes who placed in the top eight during the NEC meet:
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| Gioielli |
Junior Joseph Gioielli of Wolcott won the 1500 meters in 3:51.30 on Sunday to help CCSU close out the title. The former Eagle also anchored the winning 4×800-meter relay team on Saturday, the first day of the meet. The winning relay, which also included senior Malcolm Connor, sophomore Austin Trainor and freshman Richard Grudzwick, finished in a time of 7:46.31. Gioielli also claimed a second place finish in the 800 meters on Sunday in a time of 1:55.17. Also on Sunday, Gioielli was part of the third place 4×400-meter relay team, which finished in a time of 3:23.16. Gioielli teamed with Grudzwick, Connor and senior Jamal Fruster on that relay.
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| Borecki |
Sophomore Sam Borecki of Holy Cross won the pole vault on Saturday with a mark of 4.80 meters. Borecki grew up in Cheshire.
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| Putman |
Bristol native Dashawn Putman, a senior, claimed third in the high jump on Sunday with a mark of 1.99 meters. Putman went to high school at St. Peter’s Prep in New Jersey.
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| Smith |
Another Bristol native, freshman K.J. Smith of Bristol Eastern, claimed eighth place in the shot put on Sunday with a toss of 13.92 meters. Smith was also eighth in the javelin on Saturday with a throw of 50.51 meters. Smith is also on the football team at CCSU.
Next up on the schedule are two different events. The New England Championships are at SCSU in New Haven on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14. The IC4A Championships are Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Princeton, N.J.
