Many of Madison’s track athletes began their season with some exciting news in their academic and athletic careers with 4 athletes on the team committed to college so far for track and field. Emily Jones is committed to Franklin & Marshall College for cross country with plans to study business. Greg Bruno is also committed to Franklin & Marshall College for track and field on the pre-med track. Andreas Panagos is committed to Middlebury College for track and field with plans to study economics. Maggie Kim is also committed to Middlebury College for their track and field team. But beyond college commits, this track and field team has a lot to celebrate.
This competitive spring season is coached by Coach DeGennaro, focusing on distance, Coach Krysa, focusing on sprinting, Coach Caroll, focusing on field events, Coach DiTonno, directing the team in the pole vault, high jump, and hurdling, and Coach Lambeseder, focusing on the long jump event. In total, there are 135 student athletes making up the Madison spring track team, which is 25% greater than last year. The girls team nearly doubled from 30 athletes to 70. Many athletes are on spring track to get outside and get fresh air, stay fit and challenge themselves, make friends, and crosstrain for other sports. Since there are a variety of events to participate in, track is a great sport for students to explore their passions and see what they enjoy the most whether it be distance, sprinting, or field events like jumping, throwing, and pole vault.
Speaking of pole vault, Coach DiTonno, who graduated from Rowan University, has a lot of experience directing the team in this event. Because of her amazing help, Madison High School was able to participate in the pole vault again. Madison High School is given the amazing opportunity to try this event, participate, and succeed in it. Kelsey Greer, Greg Bruno, and Nolan Flanagan who participate in the pole vault event for Madison, use their passion for the sport and positive influence to recruit a greater number of participants. As of now, there are 10 athletes in the event and expected growth in the 2025 season.
The Madison Dodger’s first meet will be at Morristown Beard High School in Morristown on April 4th. On April 13th, the Madison Dodgers will host their first home meet. The 20th annual “Dodgertown relays”, which will be hosting 25 other schools, will be a great way for the Madison team to show off their maroon and gold. Perhaps the official Dodger will make an appearance?
Since the girls track team placed 3rd last year at the NJAC meet and 3rd at the state sectional meet, and the boys track team placed 4th at NJAC and 10th at state sectionals, there is much to expect for this 2024 season as we have many returning athletes that are working extra hard to win. Although the Dodgers lost former senior(s) Kate Mcelvenany and Henrik Hamilton, there is confidence that the seniors this year will be able to fill those gaps. Senior Ella Tucker is notable for her record breaking sprints. Ella has had an excellent career with the Madison Dodgers in 2022 and she was the state champion in the 100m, 200m, and 400m sprints. Even better, Ella Tucker made the school record for the 200 meter dash in 2022 at a time of only 25.4 seconds! Senior Emily Jones who is a key contributor to the sportsmanship and positive relationship on the team, is known for her distance runs. Emily is a key contributor in the distance relays including the 4x4s as well as the 1600m distance run. Senior Kelsey Greer serves as motivation to the team as a result of her amazing athletic and academic achievements. Kelsey Greer won the Student Scholar Award for Madison High School as she balanced rigorous AP classes and her love for the high jump and pole vault event in track and field.
Juniors, Leah Fass, Maya Vanhorn, and Alana Flynn, are striving to maintain the strength of the Madison track team this year and in the year to follow. Coach DeGenarro’s words of encouragement for the team are to “set good goals-” and “work hard to crush them!”
Roll Dodgers!