Though South Portland’s boys track team has finished shy of the top spot in their first two meets, the squad has fared respectably both times and Red Riots coach Paul Brogan is pleased with his athletes so far.
“We graduated a large group last year from a top-notch team,” the coach said. “We’re predominantly freshmen and sophomores, which means some inconsistencies early on here, but it’s exciting to watch the development.”
The Riots collected 92 points in a home meet Monday, not far behind Gorham (105.5) and ahead of Sanford (67.5) and Massabesic (24).
As usual, the senior tandem of Alex Gato and Tom McCoubrey led South Portland. Gato won the high jump and was second in the pole vault, while McCoubrey topped the field in the shot put and was second in the discus.
Classmate Sam Hersom provided the Riots with their other individual win when he broke the tape in the 1,600-meter race walk.
Will Cabana (2nd, 100m and 2nd, 200m), Kris King (2nd, long jump, 3rd, high jump, 4th, triple jump), David Knowland (2nd, mile, 3rd, two-mile), Ryan Young (2nd, 300m hurdles, 4th, 100m), Nick Huston (3rd, 110 hurdles, 4th, 300 hurdles) each collected points in more than one event.
“We have a lot of young boys who have terrific attitudes and are working hard and developing,” said Brogan. “There’s no better way to learn than under the pressure of interscholastic athletics.”
In the first meet of the season, at Marshwood on April 28, the Riots finished a solid third with 75 points. Gato (pole vault) and McCoubrey (shor put and discus) won events at that meet as well.
“We’ve got a lot of young guys. They’re building around me and Tom,” Gato said. “There’s a lot of pressure because they’re expecting so much from you.”
Gato and his teammates are scheduled to travel Thursday to Thornton Academy for their next meet.
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