Mahopac turns on afterburners at Big Chill meet

Mahopac’s varsity indoor track and field season got underway this month with the Big Chill meet at Yorktown High School.

Mahopac dominated the girls 1500 meters, with Kira Waring finishing first, followed by Olivia Spinella and Summer McDermott to round out the top three. Anyssa Zieler finished fifth in the same race.

Danna Yari took first in the 600 and fifth in the 1000, with Gianna Hartmann fourth in the 600, one place ahead of Alyssa Settembrini.

Cara O’Halloran won the 1000, with teammate Luciana Abney third. Ella Biolchini took fourth in the 300, Madison Glick finished fifth in the racewalk, and Mackenzie Southlea placed third in the high jump.

Mahopac girls also did well in the relays, winning the 4x400, finishing second in the girls A 4x800, fourth in the girls B 4x800, fifth in the girls C 4x800, and third in the 4x200.

The boys also made it into the winner’s circle.

Joey Pellegrino took first in the 300 to go along with fourth in the 55.

Alex Zamrzla finished first in the 1000 and second in the 600.

Kelvin Cabrera placed third in the 600 and fifth in the 1000. Chris Flanagan took first in the high jump.

The boys also won the 4x800 relay and finished third in the 4x200.

Coaches Janet Bauer and Gianna Merante said they were excited to be back in action and had high hopes for the season ahead.

“The team came out to Big Chill with so much talent and it was a great way to start off our season,” Bauer said in an email to Mahopac News. “We have lots of returning student-athletes and some new faces who are going to have great success ahead of them.”

The winter track season comes after one of Mahopac’s strongest girls cross country campaigns in recent memory, and Bauer and Merante hope to see the momentum continue.

“On the girls’ side, we are so excited to see how far they can push themselves this season and how their teamwork will take them to new heights,” Bauer wrote. “Most of them are fresh off a very successful cross country season, so they are ready to bring that same energy and enthusiasm to this season.”

Meanwhile, the boys team is showing early signs of growth.

“For the boys, we are excited to see some new faces that will bring some great potential to the team,” Bauer wrote. “Our returners are ready to continue to lead this team and to hopefully see some new accomplishments for this season.”