Young Track and Fielders Continue to Show Promise for Hazen Union
by Ken Brown
LYNDONVILLE – The Hazen Union track and field team set more personal best records last week in their second meet of the season and Jasper Regan captured the first two titles of his young career over the weekend at the NEK Freshman Meet at North Country.
Ella Considine recorded personal best times as well as a pair of top five finishes to lead the Wildcats last Tuesday at Lyndon Institute. Considine placed fourth in the 100m event behind Charlie Schumar of North Country and fourth in the 200m also won by Schumar. Lily Castle also ran personal best times for Hazen in both events as well as posting a personal record in the discus event.
Cassandra Royer ran her fastest time of the season in the 3000m, good enough for a third place finish behind Wisteria Franklin of St. Johnsbury Academy (SJA). Jessica Royer also had a strong fourth place finish in the 800m, with Peggy Fischer of SJA taking home first place honors. Lisa Velten posted a fifth place finish in the 100m hurdles with her best time of the season behind Desiree Mendez of SJA. Velten, Considine, and both Royer sisters also had strong performances in both the 4X400m and 4X800m relays. Cassandra Royer qualified for the Burlington Invitationals (BI) in both the 1500m and 3000m and Jessica Royer has qualified in the 3000m. Velten’s time in the 100m hurdles also qualified her for the upcoming BI’s.
On the boys’ side, freshman Jasper Regan and senior Colton Courtemanche posted personal bests in the 100m and Gabe Aubuchon beat his best time in the 400m by two seconds.
“It was great to get out there and compete last week. We worked on the team’s strength, speed, and endurance, but also tackled starting blocks and discus. This week we hope to get to more instruction in the long jump, high jump, and hurdles. There is so much ground to cover in track and field and never enough time,” said head coach Kathy Fortmann.
Jasper Regan and Max Fortmann represented Hazen Union in the NEK Freshman Meet at North Country on Thursday and Regan recorded three personal best times along with two individual titles. Regan edged Vincent Martin of North Country by less than a half a second in the 100m event to claim his first title. He then bested Cian Nott of SJA by two inches in the long jump. Fortmann posted personal records as well for Hazen in both events. Regan finished off his stellar day with a third place finish and a personal best time in the 200m, won by Wilder Thomas of SJA.
“Great job by Jasper and Max for getting out there and competing and Jasper’s winning distance in the long jump will only improve this season for sure. We plan to work on both of their penultimate steps more this week. We have our fingers crossed for good weather the rest of the way,” said Fortmann.
Hazen Union’s varsity team will be back in action on Wednesday at North Country and at St. Johnsbury Academy next Monday, with the middle schoolers scheduled to compete at U-32 over the weekend.
