​The girls and boys track team faced some bad weather at Friday’s NJISAA Sectional Championship meet, but the team prevailed and faced better weather on Saturday to add more victories for WHS and a new school record.

Senior Co-Captain Matt Luppino and junior Will Chandler each participated in the 1600 and pulled off times of 4:17.76 and 4:22.99 despite the hour-long rain delay.

Luppino qualified for the NJISAA Group Championship in both the 1600 and 800. The 4×800 relay team of senior Co-Captain Frankie Pinney, Chandler, sophomore Nicholas Antonelli and Luppino also advanced to groups by finishing second with a time of 8:05.25.

Chandler said, “Being part of this 4×800…revives that positive team spirit.”

Representing WHS in the field was sophomore Mitchell Bryk, who placed fifth in the high jump with a height of six feet; Bryk will also be advancing to groups.

Coach Christopher Tafelski said: “To see so many guys getting their best performances of the season on the biggest stage of the season says a lot about their focus and all [their] hard work.”

For the girls team, senior Gabby Stravach broke a 16-year-old school record and set a personal best in the 1600 with a time of 5:07.86. She also placed third in the 3200 with a time of 11:21.24.

“Breaking that record had been a goal of mine for over a year…. It is like a dream come true,” said Stravach.

Also, the girls 4×100, 4×400 and 4×800 relays all qualified with times of 50.59, 3:58.07 and 9:42.77, respectively. The girls also qualified in the field for pole vault, long jump and javelin.

Coach Jennifer Buccino said, “The team had a great two days despite all the weather-related delays.”
Both teams will compete in the group championships today and tomorrow.