The OP Rams Track team is back in action! Since November 31st, the team has started training for the Indoor track season. There are many returning stars, such as Connor Bassolino, James Nolan, Brody Sheenan, Flynn Breeze, Lucas Costa, and Joey Demarco. All of these boys have marked their name in the OP record books after nearly breaking all the records last season. With a strong underclassmen group in the distance squad (where 5 of them broke 18 in the 5k) the team is looking at a big season. Be prepared for multiple class and school records to be broken on the track and in the field.
There are many opportunities for these great things to happen, and the first chance on December 19th at Ocean Breeze. With a beautiful track, the majority of the team will be attending. The meet is called Essex County Track Coaches Assn. Season Opener Invite. That means teams such as West Essex, Seton Hall, Ridge, and Phillipsburg will be in attendance. There will be varsity and novice races, and many freshman or new sophomores have a chance to prove something. We also will see multiple star sprinters make their debuts.
After Christmas break, there will be three relay meets. NJCTC Winter Relays, Union County Relay Championship, and NPA State Relay Championship on December 30, January 7, and January 14. These races will provide a good chance for the team to try to qualify for nationals. It also is a great chance to build great chemistry. Many people say they like the team aspect of relays and how enjoyable it is.
There are no conferences for indoor track, but there is an individual meet. On January 23rd, at Ocean Breeze, the team has a huge race. At this meet last year, the Rams broke 6 school records and 72% of the performances were PRs. The team also has to run against top talent such as Union Catholic and Westfield. With mostly varsity and a few JV, this meet will see a lot of actions and PRs.
Two days later, on January 25th, the team will go back to Ocean Breeze to race at NJCTC Wayne Letwink Memorial Winter Championships. This is a race that the Rams won last year and recently won for Cross Country. Last year, in seven events, Oratory set new school records and four grade records were set. On this humongous and very strong day, the team looks to repeat that this year.
On January 29th, a majority of the team will go to the New York City Armory for the Metropolitan Invitational. This race was more sprint focused last year, with over 10 Rams in both the 55m and the 200m. Many also run JV distance, such as the 1600m and 800m. This is the last race before championship season.
However, there is still the Ocean Breeze Invitational meet on the 31st of January. This is an all day race, where it’s extremely competitive. Teams travel for Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. Last year, the Rams set the indoor 4×8 time with a 7:58. This qualified them for Penn Relays, set the school record, and all four athletes set relay PRs.
Then, the team travels to Lawrenceville High School for the Prep Championship Meet. Last year, 4 records were broken and 4 class records. James Nolan went for an insane 1:55.7 which was Milesplit USA First Team Elite Performance Standard. There is also a whole separate day for field events. (February 10th is field and 11th is running) This will be a great opportunity for people such as Lucas Costa, Brody Sheenan, and Joey DeMarco to take down their own previous records.
The last meet before qualifying meets is the Non Public A Individual Meet. At this meet, one can qualify for the Meet of Champions (MOCs). Last year James Nolan and Declan Kelly achieved that mark. Also, a school record was set. Expect that to happen again with multiple qualifiers for MOCs.
After that, all is TBD. With nationals from either Nike or New Balance, the team hopes to qualify relays or individually. Last year they went to New Balance Nationals in Boston, Massachusetts. It would be great for them to go for the 4th straight year.
