Despite having a short season, Tabor Academy spring athletic teams have been achieving high levels of success. A combination of individual successes within the Boys’ Track Team is perhaps the most notable of all.
With one meet to go in their season, a number of the boys have broken school and meet records, leading the Tabor team to an impressive record. At the ISTA League Championship meet, this was evident in their fourth place finish.
The meet director commented that the meet itself was one of the most competitive in many years, given the various meet records that were broken.
One of those records was in the high jump at a height of 6’7”. All eyes were watching as Senior Jesse Bunting not only broke this record in a winning jump of 6’8” but continued to jump, finishing with a new record: 6’10”.
Bunting, a basketball player headed to Fordham University, is in his first year on the team. He quickly saw success when he broke a long-time school record and continues to jump even higher. He has also had impressive performances in other events, making a large contribution to the success of the boys’ team.
A key component to this team is depth. Behind Bunting, there are other impressive high jumpers. Akim Sanni was right behind Bunting with a second place in the high jump and Brandon Beloti was fifth in the event.
Sanni also made a mark on the day, breaking the school record in the shot-put with a throw of 49’8.5”.
Senior Hayden Kilpatrick was a champion on the track, winning the 110-high hurdles.
Kilpatrick, along with Angel Santiago, Matt Duffie, and Binjo Emmanuel ran in the 4×100-relay. Together, they broke the school record in a time of 44.51.
Earlier in the season, Sophomore Archie Velazquez broke the school record in the 3000-meters and finished third in this race at the ISTA Championship meet.
The girls have also achieved great success, despite injuries, and have defeated many impressive opponents this season. The girls won against St. George’s School and Lawrence Academy earlier this season and also defeated Pingree School, Groton School, and Middlesex School in impressive efforts by a small, but talented team.
Eight girls traveled to the ISTA meet to compete last weekend and, despite their small size, they took home seventh place out of 10 teams.
On May 16, the girls and boys will get to face many of these worthy opponents once again at the Division II New England Championship Meet at Williston Northampton School where they will compete against 12 schools.
By Julia O’Rourke
