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With only the State Open remaining for the Weston High School boys track team, the seniors can look back on the last four years with pride. The final marks look like this for the Class S accomplishments: two state titles, one runner-up title and one third-place finish. When the Trojans finished second in 2008, it was by a mere point. A false start on one of the final relays, where Weston was the top seed, cost them the championship.
"I think they used that as motivation throughout their careers,'' coach Matt Medve said. "They remembered that, and they didn't want that to happen to them again."
Even into their sophomore years, the current group of seniors had little impact on Weston's lineup. Stephen Vento and Paul Philpott ran on relays as sophomores. Their influence grew more pronounced when they were juniors, with Philpott running on a pair of relays that medaled and with Vento helping the 4 x 800 win a state championship.
The Trojans didn't win a state title this year. They did, however, surprise just about everyone by nipping Brookfield by four points to win the South-West Conference title. Vento and Philpott were the leaders. The rest of the seniors Paavan Chopra, Param Chopra, Joseph Fitzpatrick and Jack Steinharter made contributions on and off the track. With 35 freshmen and sophomores on the roster, the seniors had to provide a heavy dose of leadership.
The future looks bright. Sophomores David Stankiewicz and Noah Krassin are budding stars, and the Trojans are deep in numbers. The seniors are passing the baton to a team that seems ready to further embellish the Trojans' legacy.
"Being on this team has been awesome,'' Vento said. "Now everyone looks to Weston as one of the top indoor programs. That says a lot about our team." It also says a lot about the seniors who helped make it happen.
Do you have a favorite memory from the seniors on the Weston boys track team? Start the discussion below!
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