Sports

Track and field breaks multiple records

 
Three track runners are running on the track field. Two runners are from NECC
NECC at the Jim Sheehan Memorial at Fitchburg State University, two Knight’s runners are seen left Photo courtesy of NECC track and field's facebook
An athlete from NECC is posing to the camera
Maci Abbatessa who broke the school’s record for the hammer throw event at the Jim Sheehan Invitational at Fitchburg State University Photo courtesy of NECC's track and field facebook

Track and field has made waves early into the season. 

Sophomore Maci Abbatessa recently broke the schools record for the hammer throw event. At the Jim Sheehan Invitational at Fitchburg State University Saturday Aril 4, she launched her hammer 34.35 meters or 112 feet eight inches. This broke the previous record set in 2010 by Katelyn Wallace. 

“I’ve been working at this for a while and I told coach Tarbox I’m coming for this record, and I’m coming for disk too,” said Abbatessa on breaking the record. “I’m putting a lot of work into it; three-hour practices, four-hour practices. Because I knew that if you work hard enough for it you can get to it,” she said. 

At the Knights most recent event on Saturday at the Ed Daniels Classic at Southern New Hampshire University, Abbatessa placed 10th in the shotput event with a finale distance of 10.78 meters or 35.37 feet. 

“There is so much chemistry on the track team,” said Abbatessa speaking of the Knight’s bond. “The team and the environment are fabulous, everyone gets along well, the coaches are great,” she added. 

Janelis Uviedo set a new school record as well in the women’s 400 meter hurdles with a time of one minute and 21.64 seconds simultaneously qualifying for the National Junior College Athletics Association Championships in May. 

The team has grown the last few years under the guidance of head coach Melanie Tarbox who’s now in her third season coaching track and field. Under leadership the Knights saw 13 athletes qualify for the NJCAA Championships last season. 

“My first year we had athletes in 5 events now we have 13 events covered. Not only our numbers are higher we’re able to compete in more,” said Tarbox on the growth of the track and field team.  

“It’s a group of people that probably wouldn’t be friends, but the sport has given them all a reason to come together. The push each other to be their best selves,” she added, speaking of how the team has come together early on into the season. 

On the men’s side Milton Garcia, Teriq Goodman, Adriel Rosa Sanchez, and Aivyn Privitera qualified for the NJCAA National Championships in the men’s four by 100-meter relay when they placed eighth with a time of 45.43 seconds at the Ed Daniels Classic at Southern New Hampshire University. 

The Knight’s next meet is Saturday at the Sean Collier Invitational at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.