Monroe attempts to repeat success

By: Sean Richards
   Coming off a banner season, it will be interesting to see if the Monroe High School winter track teams can maintain their championship form this year.
   A year ago, the Monroe boys were the Greater Middlesex Conference White Division relay champions. The girls, meanwhile, won GMC White Division relay and White Division individual titles.
   It’s a new year and there are some standouts to replace, but there seems to be a sense of optimism as the team prepares to get its season underway tomorrow (Saturday) at Drew University.
   "The team is looking to continue on the success we built last year," said coach Jim Cox. "We have a solid and strong nucleus coming back and what appears to be a very good freshmen class. We are hoping to fill the depth problem we had in the sprints with them."
   Looking at the Viking girls first, the team features senior co-captains Elizabeth Segarra and Allie Push. Both are distance runners with Segarra outstanding in the 800 and 1,600 and Push doubling in the 1,600 and 3,200 races. Segarra is coming off a banner cross country season in which she won the GMC title.
   Other returnees runners include sophomore Damaris Segarra (800 and 1.600), sophomore Nicole Ragucci (55 hurdles, 200 and 400) and junior Sara Beth Moke (55 hurdles, 200).
   Junior Kelly Campbell and senior Megan Boyce are versatile athletes who will play a key role. Campbell runs the hurdles, the 400 and 800 races and is also a high jumper. Boyce is a hurdler, runs the 200 and throws the shot. Senior Megan Allen is another returning high jumper and senior Christina Leili adds more depth as shot put.
   Among the newcomers are junior Sarah Payne (55 hurdles, 200) and freshmen Caitlin Hoskins (55 hurdles, 200, 55), Ashley Hyman (55, 200), Justina Kupczak (55 hurdles, 55, 200), Veronica Delgado (800) and Margaret Nawracaj (55, 200).
   "Our goals are to win our division in the relays and individuals (White Division) and to make some noise in the GMC," said Cox.
   Things are looking good as well for the boys, who will be captained by returning distance runner and senior standout Scott Roman.
   "The boys are a very solid team," said Cox. "We have depth and experience in every event and feel we can compete for the White division titles. Not only are we deep, but have a lot of flexibility and range with the returning athletes."
   The biggest challenge for the boys will be replacing record holder Rob McGowan as well as most of the hurdlers.
   In addition to Roman, other returning distance runners are sophomore Ryan Brown, juniors Jason Tady, Zachary Tady, Kyle Zablocki and Adam Modzelewski.
   Back for another year in the sprints are junior Billy Phillips and senior David Sorkin. Junior Adam Cocuzza and seniors Austin and Justin Tsang are returning shot putters.
   Throw in some talented newcomers and the boys also appear to have the kind of depth and talent that can lead to another in a long line of successful Monroe winter track seasons.