Robert Jeffrey
Sun Sports Contributor
Frank Speziale Photo

NORWICH – Having already broken their school record, previously set at the REK Invitational back on May 5, twice in the last month, the mixture of three underclassman and an upperclassman have found their way in the New York State Championship meet for track and field.
What defines this group is not how they have performed per say, but instead it’s the camaraderie, the jubilation and the spunk of this athletic group that has been a small fraction of what’s made them so entertaining to watch.
“I think our 4x8 team excels due to our bond between one another. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I definitely consider them my best friends, and not many people could say that about their relay teams,” said freshman Katie Gawronski. “This is my first time going to states and it feels amazing. I cannot imagine being this successful with any other group of girls.”
The make-up of the relay team may not fit most cookie-cutter images as to what a state bound relay team might be with three underclassman, (a freshman and two sophomores), combined with the guidance of a senior.
But what’s uniquely special for all four of the purple clad athletes? It’s their first time to a state championship meet.
“I believe we excel at the 4x800 because of how connected and close we are as a team. At the beginning of the season we knew that we were capable of making a statement but also that it would require a lot of hard work, time, and dedication to both the race and to each other,” said NHS senior Meghan Komendarek. “To any athlete, states is something that you always strive for. It’s a chance to prove yourself as a team or an individual in the event that you are preforming in.”
With all four members of the 4x800m girls relay squad listed as three sport athletes, the competition and dedication to their craft isn’t surprising. Throw in the fact that all four athletes have a special bond with track and field/running either via family or personally – this team has a lot more learned experience than some anticipate.
Given this empirical data, one may ask how they’ll respond to their seeding in the event. Seeded with their best time – and the current NHS school record – at 10:01.26 minutes, the Purple Tornado tag-team is ranked 23 in all of the New York State relay teams competing. That being said, don’t be fooled by their ranking, the Tornado team will be competing against Division II schools, not from the larger schools in the event.
Regardless, the fierce foursome understands and boldly have accepted the challenge that is the New York State meet.
“What I can do to better for our team is to keep pushing myself and to keep pushing Meghan, Katie and Nicole,” said sophomore Hailey Colabelli. “We do our best when we push ourselves to be uncomfortable. Keeping a positive mind and cheering the girls on while they run their leg keeps the whole team motivated.”
As with anything, all of the girls have agreed that attitude is critical, and with all four girls understanding the magnitude of this event/meet they aren’t afraid of backing down.
“What my teammates and I can do to improve at the state meet is just to do what we’ve been doing, but faster. Saturday will be our last opportunity to break the 4x800m school record together,” said sophomore Nicole Jeffrey. “We will have to run it like this is our last time because it really is our last time running together, sadly. We all need to leave it out on the track and give it everything we got so that our 4x800m school record can last for a very long time.”
And while these Tornado tyro are aiming for more school records and potentially medals at states, they’ve remained consistent on what has gotten them to this point; coaching and each other.
“I would like to say thank you to my coaches – Coach Horan, Coach Decker and Coach Curley, my teammates – Meghan, Katie and Hailey and my family,” said Jeffrey. “Without them, none of this would have happened and I’m so glad it did.”
Teammate Hailey Colabelli ushered similar sentiments saying, “I’m just extremely excited to see the outcome of states and I’m thankful for everyone who has been cheering us on this season and the coaches for pushing us to reach our full potential. It means the world to have so much support.”
As all four have given gratitude to their supporters over the past season, all four want to do something incredibly special; give everything they have for their senior teammate Meghan Komendarek.
“We just have to give it all we’ve got, keeping in mind this is our last time ever running the 4x800, because Meghan is sadly graduating this year,” said Gawronski.
Meanwhile, Komendarek is just focused on getting a good performance in the 4x800m come Saturday afternoon.
“I am so grateful to have this opportunity. My teammates and I look forward to being able to race against amazing competition,” said Komendarek.
As the majority of the other relay teams have handed in their jerseys for the year, the continuously bonding Norwich 4x800m girls relay team has one page left in their 2017 season. And based upon what these athletes want to do for each other, they want to push each other until they can’t push anymore. With the last wise words of wisdom from Norwich head coach Shaun Horan for the 2017 season, “the only thing that they all need to do to be successful, is be confident in themselves and their abilities.”
Based upon how the quartet of Colabelli, Gawronski, Jeffrey, and Komendarek all interact and work with each other, regardless of the outcome – this whirlwind of a relay team has bonded all the way to the state meet. A special memory and reminder of the way they will begin and end the 2017 track and field season; by being together.