Abramson seeks superstar ending

PHS senior eyes top 800 goal

By: Justin Feil
   Louis Abramson is an ideal captain for the Princeton High boys’ track and field team.
   In four years he’s a shining example of how hard work can pay off with remarkable development. Abramson broke in as a freshman as primarily a 200-meter runner. He’s been a steady member of the Little Tigers 4×400 relay. And this winter, he became 800-meter champion in a photo finish at the Mercer County Championships. He’s striving to get to that point in the outdoor season.
   "I came into this season thinking I’d focus on the 800 after that," said the PHS senior. "It hasn’t really clicked for me yet. I think I’m still feeling my through running the outdoor 800. Since this is only second year running it, I’m going through same thing other county 800 runners went through their sophomore year."
   If PHS head coach John Woodside has one regret about Abramson, it’s that he didn’t talk him into running the 800 meters earlier in his career. Abramson’s breakthrough moment came a little more than a year ago in the sectionals, ironically after one of his most disappointing 400-meter runs. He finished 20th and on the bus ride home Woodside asked if he’d like to try the 800 the next day.
   "Off of no training, I had my 400 training and that year’s cross country season, I ran a 2:09," Abramson said. "My goal was to break 2:10. I ended up beating Tim (Natriello) and Louis (Crocco). I strolled through the finish. I didn’t think I felt that bad running 2:09. I ran 64 and 65 (400s). With splits that close, I thought if I work that first split down to 61, I’d have some potential in the 800. I figured I should start thinking about the 800."
   Abramson is one of four Little Tigers who has run under 2:09 this season, and he’s hoping to go faster than his personal best of 2:06 in the coming weeks. His first attempt comes this Saturday at the Bernards Invitational, a tune-up for the Mercer County Championships that will be held at Steinert the following week.
   "He’s our team captain and a leader," Woodside said. "Louis came out as a freshman. He always worked hard. I always knew he was dedicated. He was not terribly great. He really loves track and field and he works really hard. He does have some talent. He’s gotten the most out of himself and he keeps improving himself. It’s showing in his performances."
   Abramson moved down to win the open 400 as the Little Tigers went 1-2 in the quarter mile, swept the 800 meters without him, and was a part of the winning 4×400 as PHS squeaked out a 71-69 win over Nottingham on Tuesday to improve to 3-4 this season.
   "A lot of people came through in big events," said Abramson who ran a personal best 52.2 seconds to win the 400. "The team we were running against today had great non-track events. We knew we could take care of business on the track. But some of our other guys who had to compete against some of the best jumpers and throwers in county."
   On the track, the Little Tigers dominated the distance events. Dan Cavallaro, Crocco and Christophe Dorsey went 1-2-3 in the 800 meters, Dorsey won the mile with Cavallaro finishing second and Nick Oehlberg led a sweep in the two-mile. Those points were expected of the Little Tigers.
   Ryan Trupin proved biggest in the field events. He earned some surprise points and made the final difference with a win in the high jump with a season-best 6-foot-2. He also was second in the long jump with a season best and third in the triple jump in the place of Tom McKinley, who dislocated his shoulder on the winning pole vault.
   "They had several events where they got no points and we had several events where we didn’t score," Woodside said. "It was the middle events that decided the meet. It was a very good meet. It was tightly contested the whole time."
   In the closest deciding score possible in track, every point was necessary for the Little Tigers, who have a chance to finish .500 for the season with a win against West Windsor-Plainsboro North next week.
   "Going into this year, I thought we’d be OK," Abramson said. "I didn’t think we’d be as good as we are. We tripled our win total from the last two years. If we could come away with a .500 record, I’d love it."
   It’s one surprise in a season that has had most of what Abramson was looking for in his final year at PHS. He’s been able to contribute in a number of events, from the 100, 200, 400 and 800 to the triple jump and mile relay.
   "What we’ve seen is his racing savvy has gotten better," Woodside said. "He’s gotten better at racing in the 800. And he’s going out better in the 400. He took lead from the outset (Tuesday) and then Geoff Repoli found a way to come up and get second.
   "All those close finishes, that was one of the key things to winning the meet. They did a nice job. Louis has really improved his endurance and his form and his toughness. He’s getting better at racing."
   Abramson is just trying to do his part to help the Little Tigers finish strong. He’s hoping to build off his personal best from the 400 Tuesday and work toward a new best in the 800. He’s been thrilled to see the development of the 4×400 team that will contend for a medal at counties.
   "I’ve always felt we’ve had the depth," Abramson said. "That’s where the strength of our team lies. That’s what I’m representative of.
   "I’m not a superstar 400 runner. I was a superstar 800 runner in the winter. I hope to be one in the spring if I can get my act together."
   Abramson remains a strong leader because of his dedication to continuing to pursue his lofty standards. His 800-meter training has given him strength that’s paid off in the 400. He’d like to see some of the speed from the 400 come back in the 800.
   "There’s something in me that’s just not letting my body roll," he said. "If I can run the 400 in 52, I should be able to take out the 800 in 59 in no problems. If I could get over this next hurdle, I think I could really do something.
   "This Saturday, at Bernards, if I’m in a fast heat and get behind some fast guys and can let myself go, I think I could do it. If I could get over that last hurdle, I’ll be satisfied with my high school career. It’s been haunting me for a while."
   Abramson has less than a month to reach his goals and leave the Little Tigers with a final example of just what hard work and dedication can do. And, who knows? Louis Abramson might just be a superstar again by the end of the season.