South boys winter track team looks strong in distance

By: Carolyn M. Hartko
   For most high school track programs, graduating six out of eight varsity distance runners would be a major setback, at least in those events. But for the South Brunswick High School squad, good carry-over from a successful cross country program will continue the Vikings’ depth in the distance races.
   "I think we should do okay in distances," Viking head coach Brian Jost said. "Hurdles, we’re looking okay in. Both of the guys that are high jumping are new to it, but they’re practicing and improving each day."
   Although currently on the injured list, senior team captain Ankush Patel has taken on the mantel of leadership for the distance squad. Classmate Rob Rittenhouse, and juniors Ryan O’Laughlin, Chris Krajewski and Kingal Shah bring experience to these events. The depth will come from underclassmen like sophomores Chris Adams, Kevin Choo, Axel Persaud, Ronak Shah and Greg Spinner. The freshmen to keep an eye on include Cory Behrend, Christian Ginez, John McCall, Tom Parisi and Joe Wong.
   The team’s top high jumper at present is senior Antony Promise. He’ll also run the hurdles, along with junior captain Carmine Gaudio, and sophomores Matt Johnson and Steven Yu.
   Two of the top Vikings shot putters from last year, both of whom would have been seniors, decided not to come out this winter. That leaves junior captain Ed Couperthwaite at the top of the thrower squad, with classmate Shilpn Patel and several underclassmen working to fill in the blanks. Most promising is Prescott Hill who won the sophomore shot put (47-1) at the Loughlin Games two weeks ago. He’s consistent in the upper 40’s, which puts him at the varsity level. Sophomore Jon Rudolph and freshman Bobbie Long are coming along nicely for this event.
   If there is an area of concern for the Vikings, it’s the sprints this season. It’s not a matter of lack of talent, but that the squad is very young. With most high school boys not maturing until senior year, the South Brunswick underclassmen will be at a disadvantage going up against the bigger and stronger seniors in their division, and around the Greater Middlesex Conference.
   "We’re very young in the sprints," Jost said. "Sophomores and freshmen, basically, are the sprinters for the boys team. So, we’ll take our lumps there. But they’ll gain a lot of experience."
   Gaudio is the only upperclassman on the sprint squad. The sophomores who will be working on their techniques are Johnson, Stephen Guadeloupe, Yu, Emanuel King and Abdul Taylor-Kamara. Freshman Chris Greco could also be a contributor this winter.
   "Obviously, with a real young team, it’s going to be a learning experience for everybody," Jost said. "With only three seniors on the team, a lot of these kids are out for winter track for the first time. We’re hoping to see improvement with each meet. We’ll try people out in different events and different relays, and by the end of the season, hopefully, we’ll see where everybody should fit, and carry on to spring track from there."
   When it comes to competition in the GMC’s Red Division this year, Jost’s goal is just "to survive." The Vikings went 3-3 in dual meets last year with a much stronger roster. Jost expects Old Bridge to be the power to beat, not only in the division but in the conference as well. But Piscataway and East Brunswick usually have strong teams as well.
   Though South may have a rough time in dual meets this winter, Jost saw plenty to be optimistic about at the invitationals in December.
   "The distance kids are once again gaining experience," the coach said. "Their times are coming down, and they’re working hard. The sophomore sprinters held their own in the big meets. And Prescott threw well in the sophomore shot put at the Loughlin Games. Now it’s just a matter of maturing and getting stronger and learning with each meet."
   FINISH LINE: The dual meet season doesn’t open until next week when South Brunswick will host East Brunswick on Tuesday. But this week, the Vikings had the GMC Relays on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the state relays for Group IV are at Jadwin Gym in Princeton at 9 a.m. on Sunday.
   In Tuesday’s GMC Relays, the shot put team of Hill (42-feet, 7-inches) and Couperthwaite (37-7) took sixth place with a total of 80-2. Wednesday’s results were not available at press time.