Staples High School — home to best-in-the-US science researchers, writing contest winners and others — has 4 new national champs.
The track team’s distance medley relay team left everyone else in the dust, at yesterday’s New Balance Indoor National Championship at the New York City Armory. In the process, they blazed to a Connecticut state record.
National champs (from left): Henry Wynne, Walker Marsh, Jack Scott and Peter Elkind.
Peter Elkind led off, racing 1200 meters in 3:11.3. Jack Scott took the baton, and blasted through 400 meters in 52.4. Both are juniors.
Senior Walker Marsh covered his 800 meter leg in a swift 1:56.4. Then University of Virginia-bound Henry Wynne — who earlier this year ran the fastest 1000 in the country — roared through 1600 meters in 4:06.9.
The relay team’s state-record 10:07.01 was a full 2.58 seconds faster than the runners-up, a squad from Quebec.
Congratulations to all the Staples foursome, and coaches Laddie Lawrence and Malcolm Watson.
Of course, this would not be a complete “06880” story without a fun factoid. So: lead runner Peter Elkind is the grandson of 2 Westporters who made their marks in an area far removed from the track. Perhaps you’ve heard of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward?
Click here for official race video (with narration)
Click here for official post-race interview
Click here for full race story
Click here for 2nd interview
(If your browser does not load the YouTube video, click here)