Pictured: Leah Chester clears the high-jump bar during H-K’s first track and field home meet of the season on May 3. (Photo courtesy of John and Yvette Minervino)

The Haddam-Killingworth boys and girls track and field teams remained undefeated this season after holding their first home meet last Tuesday.

The Cougars defeated Valley Regional and Westbrook at the Dick Dupuis Track complex. The boys recorded wins of 117-28 over Valley and 104-41 over Westbrook to improve to 6-0 in the dual-meet season. The Cougar girls, also 6-0 now, beat the Warriors 107-43 and the Knights 128-21.

H-K’s John Panzera (left) beats out a challenger from Westbrook to win the 300 hurdles. (Photo courtesy of John and Yvette Minervino)

The defending CIAC Class M champion boys team was led by the following first-place finishers: John Panzera in the 110 hurdles (17.5 seconds) and 300 hurdles (44.2); Alex Lara in the 400 meters (52.6 seconds); Andrew Hedges in the 1,600 (4 minutes, 45 seconds) and 800 meters (2:12); Aidan Law in the 200 (23.2); Caleb Freeman in the 3,200 (10:42); Jared Frith in the pole vault (10 feet); and Kevin White in the triple jump (36 feet, 3 inches).

The boys’ 4×800 and 4×400 relay teams also won their races.

For the girls, Brianna Nugent prevailed in both the 100 hurdles (17.2) and 300 hurdles (52.4), while Scarlett Strom swept the discus (89 feet, 11 inches), shot put (27-4) and javelin (79-4). Other H-K winners: Izzy Berardino in the 1,600 (5:48) and 800 (2:37); Mariella Fulcher in the 100 (13.5); Brianna Minervino in the 400 (63.6); Keira Sehl-Albert in the 3,200 (13:47); Jess Timothy in the long jump (14 feet, 6 inches) and high jump (4-10); and Ly-Linh Criscuolo in the triple jump (33-1).

The girls also swept the 4×800, 4×100 and 4×400 relay races.

H-K’s next dual meet is Tuesday at home against Hale-Ray and Cromwell. Both Cougar teams are the defending Shoreline Conference champions.

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