Five Guys' Run for the Title

Front: William Simard and Ross Stephens. Back row: Griffin Schultz, Maxx Telofski and Kendrick Edwards.

"Small but mighty!” quipped one fan of Conval High’s indoor track team performance on Saturday.

For the first time in 20 years, the Cougars finished second in the D2 state meet, held at Plymouth State College. But this year’s team may have set a record in doing so—they did it with just five guys!

Leading the way—almost all of them winners—were sophomore Griffin Shultz, junior Ross Stephens, and seniors William Simard, Kendrick Edwards, and Maxx Telofski. Junior speedster Whitney Adair was the one Conval girl who qualified for the state meet, and though she finished fourth in the 600 meter run and earned a spot at the New Englands, her score was separate from the boys.

A larger Milford squad, which was able to participate in more events, won the D2 title. The 2005 boys’ finalists, meanwhile, which were nipped by powerhouse Lebanon, featured 10 guys. Five girls represented Conval as well.

"What a great day for our team,” said Coach Cindy McLaughlin. “It is nice for a smaller school and team such as ours to make a big impact on the day. I was not surprised by the final score because I was confident we would place in the top three of several events."

McLaughlin added, "In a sport such as track and field, when athletes compete individually, this is what happens when the individual athletes achieve their peak performances at the optimal time.”

The achievement by this year’s Cougars is astounding enough, but so is the dedication and determination by all New Hampshire indoor track athletes. Primarily, they do whatever it takes to find a place to practice. While the 2005 Conval team was able to practice some on the track due to lack of snow that year, in most winters, the team has had to trek to the Hampshire Hills dome in Milford.

And there are no home meets, with Conval and other schools spending much of the season at multiple team meets held at New Hampshire colleges and prep schools, away from the hometown crowds.

"This is yours!..."

But whether striving for personal goals or building skill and strength during the offseason, the results have been worth it. Interviewed after Saturday’s contest, Ross Stephens was beaming while talking of his state championship win in the 300 meter run. During the race, “I was telling myself, this is yours, this is yours,” he said.

Stephens, along with Simard who won the 3000 meter (he was also third in the 1500 m), and Edwards who was second in the 55 meter, will represent Conval at the New England championships at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston on March 1.

“It is very impressive for such a small group, and the sky is the limit for the outdoor season when the size of our team doubles and we add more exceptional athletes and fast relays,” said Coach McLaughlin.

“I think the boys taking home the runners-up plaque is making them realize they could really capture it all in the spring,” she added. “We just need to spread our talent across more events, including relays, and continue to deliver impactful performances.”

Coaching the state runners-up at Plymouth State, in addition to track coach McLaughlin, were Conval alumni runner Evan Coyne (’19), and Steve Telofski (throwing events).

One day closer to spring.

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About that 2005 state runner-up team…Representing Conval at the meet were:

Joe Cowan (55 m, 600 m, 300 m, and high jump);

Alex Pickman and Erik Ruediger (55m hurdles and high jump);

Scott McGrath and Ben Jenkins (600 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, and 3000 m) Note: McGrath would set a new school and state meet record by placing first in the 3000 m and 1500 m.

Alex McGrath (3000 m);

Mike Lavoie (1000 m and 600 m);

Mike Mantilla (shot put and high jump);

Matt Fletcher (300 m);

Chris Fletcher (high jump);

The team: 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800 relay.

For the girls:

Laura LaPlante (600 m,1000 m, 1500 m and 3000 m);

Nicole Waite and Lauren Lastrina (600 m);

Amanda Waite (1000 m);

Amanda Gagnon (shot put);

Team: 4x400 and 4x800 relay.