Names: Tori Criscuolo, Shannon Connolly, Izzy Forcellati, Julianna Mullaney

Sport: Track

Grades:

Criscuolo: Sophomore

Connolly, Forcellati, Mullaney: Juniors

Race: 4×400 meter relay

Expectations Exceeded

Entering the season, there was a bit of uncertainty surrounding the girls 4x400m relay, being that the foursome had never run in a relay together.

“I feel like we overcame my expectations [because] none of use have ran together as a relay and it was put together,” Connolly said.

Although these four girls had never run together prior to this season and have only been running together for about two weeks, their accomplishments this season have proved why they belong together, placing 3rd in their league meet on May 28, and looking ahead to sectionals on Friday and Saturday.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Although the girls have been running together for a very short amount of time, the teamwork and connection is there, according to coach Anthony Judilla.

“The 4×400 meter relay is the epitome of teamwork in the track and field world,” Judilla said.

According to Judilla, each girl who participates in the 4×4 has something special to bring to the table.

“[Criscuolo] is a first-year distance runner and brings youth to the relay. [Forcellati] hurdles and also covers the mid-distance [races],” Judilla said. “[Mullaney’s] main focus is the open 400 [meter]. [Connolly’s] specialities are the short sprints.”

Judilla gives the girls even more praise, saying the 4×400 meter relay is one of the toughest races to win in all of track.

In the girls 4x400m relay, there are different combinations of girls competing for PV, so the same group of girls almost never runs the race two meets in a row.

However, these four girls are in the race the most often, and have run together for the last two weeks.

Dedication Leads to Success

For three of the girls, winter track is a way to prepare for the start of the spring season. This is one of the reasons why the girls 4x400m relay has been able to perform so well.

During the spring season, they are hard at work right after school.

“Pretty much everyday we are out [on the track] by like 3:30, and I know that [all four of us] usually stay late until 5-6:00,” Mullaney said.

Love for the Sport

All four of the girls, although they play other sports, have a love for track that runs deep.

Criscuolo and Mullaney specifically enjoy both the individual and team aspect of the sport. On the other hand, Forcellati has an entirely different take on track.

“I like the mental aspect of [track] and I am able to push myself to get to [places] where I did not think I would be able to reach.” Forcellati said.