By Jordan J. Michael

ALBANY –– The 10 Colonial Council track and field teams gathered at Albany Academy on Tuesday for a friendly start to the season.

“Everyone gets together and has a little fun,” said Blackbird Coach Phil Carducci, who was busy timing his runners. “We mix and match different athletes with different events and everyone has a good time.”

The mood for the Colonial Council Relays was mellow with athletes roaming freely around the facility. It’s an annual non-scoring meet that is usually held during spring break.

“There’s no pressure on these athletes today,” said Head Coach Steve Relyea. “But, we’ll be able to see things clearer after its over.”

The 4-by-800 meter relay team of Taylor Treadgold, Conor Cashin, Dylan Parry, and Rolly Lloyd provided Voorheesville with its only first-place finish of the day with a time of 8:32.7. Parry and Lloyd had personal bests.

“We’re getting into the swing of things,” said Cashin.

Alex Kundel and Sal Loccisano were competing in the long jump for the Blackbirds, but the pair didn’t break the top six. Loccisano, who prefers the triple jump, was trying long jump for the first time.

“I don’t know if I like this,” Loccisano said after jumping 16 feet, 11 inches. “I probably feel that way because I’m not doing well. I should find a better reason.”

Kundel, a junior, also competes in the 100-meter and pole vault. “Preventing your foot from falling over the line is the toughest part,” he said about the long jump. “You have nothing to be afraid of because you’re landing in sand.”

Sophomores Emma Simpson and Eryn Ryan placed second in the pole-vaulting relay for the Lady Birds. Simpson cleared seven feet, but Ryan was frustrated because she couldn’t get over the bar.

“I had an awful day,” said Ryan, who usually clears at least eight feet. “Everyone has off days, I guess.”

Simpson told The Enterprise that she has been pole-vaulting since seventh grade. “Eryn and I are neck and neck all the time,” she said. “We match each other jump for jump. We’d rather beat each other than anyone else.”

The boys’ team finished second in the distance medley relay with a time of 11:34.1, and the girls’ team had a time of 52.5 in the 4-by-100 meter relay to place second. The boys’ team cleared 18 feet in the pole vault to take second place.