Vikes warming up to idea of winter success

By: Sean Richards
   All things considered, it looks like another promising season for both the South Brunswick High School boys and girls winter track teams.
   A year ago, the boys were an impressive second at the Greater Middlesex Conference Relays and fourth at the GMC Individuals. The girls, meanwhile, were third at the Relays and fifth at the Individuals.
   With many key performers returning and some promising newcomers in the fold, look for the teams to possible do even better as they prepare for their season openers this weekend at the Loughlin Games at the New York City Armory.
   The boys had a tremendous turnout of over 100 athletes. They will be anchored by senior co-captains Tom Viotto, Billy Ricketts, Steve Sample, Max Checo and Dave Christofalo.
   Viotto was the shot put champ at the GMCs, Ricketts was the county outdoor high jump champ and Sample made the states last year in the two mile. He was also a qualifier in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions in cross country. Checo is a hurdler and once again figures to be one of the best in those events in Middlesex County. Christofalo is another distance runner who specializes in the mile.
   Those five will provide plenty of points, but there’s more in the Viking arsenal. Junior Kris Raghavan heads up the returning sprinters and is tough in the 400. Senior Cole Crosby will score in the two mile, while junior Khalid Weston is a new sprinter. Look for good things from Weston.
   "The boys have a good nucleus," said coach Stefan Moorhead. "There are some tough teams in our conference like Old Bridge, but I think we can hang in. We have good balance. Hopefully, we’ll get some pleasant surprises as the season goes along."
   The girls also have some reliable seniors in co-captains Yesenia Boynton, Stephanie McIntyre, Krista Belick and Jessica Bellizio. A sprinter, Boynton was second last year at the GMC’s in the 400 and was the GMC outdoor champion. Boynton also holds the school record in the 400 with a time of 55.94, and recently received a full scholarship to the University of Delaware.
   "She’s one of the top four of five in the state in the 400," said Moorhead. McIntyre is a very good sprinter in all the events right up to the 800. She also qualified in the triple jump in the Meet of Champions last spring. Belick is an important member of the team on two fronts. Not only does she score a lot of points, but she’s very versatile and can be found in everything from the hurdles, high jump to sprints.
   Bellizio is another good athlete who can contribute in a number of areas. Among her events are distance races and the pole vault.
   The junior class is also strong, starting with Megan Behrend. She’s only one of the top distance runners in the county after finishing in the top five last year at the GMCs.
   Stephanie Rodriguez is competitive in the 400, 800 and hurdles, while Jazmen Burnett will again be a force in the shot put after finishing in the top six in the county last year.
   Danielle Hudak and Fallen Watson are another pair of juniors who compete in the sprints and hurdles.
   South Brunswick also picked up two big additions when senior Indira Morton and junior Simone Hill decided to switch from basketball to track. Neither is new to track because they were on the spring team.
   Morton will compete in the sprints, hurdles, high jump and shot. Hill is a sprinter in all the races up to the 400.
   "I think the girls have a good shot at winning the GMCs," said Moorhead. "We have a lot back and are certainly one of the favorites. We have a lot of proven performers and a good freshmen class to back them up."