TRACK AND FIELD: Mbaya throws his way past old record at NVL championship meet

The NVL outdoor track and field championship meet was held on Tuesday at Seymour High School.
Well, it started on Tuesday at a wet Seymour High School, then the pole vault finished Wednesday at a dry Torrington High School.
Crosby’s Bernardo Mbaya was throwing the discus in the wet conditions on Tuesday, though it didn’t seem to matter. All the senior did was throw the discus a gold medal-winning 158 feet, 3 inches, which broke a 53-yard record from Ansonia great Jack Hunt. Hunt, the late Charger football legend, threw his discus 155-4 in the 1965 NVL meet.
Mbaya was named a Meet Top Performer, along with Derby’s Steven Stanley, Jr. Mbaya wasn’t the only local to have a good day on Tuesday.
Wolcott’s Kathryn Rodrigues was named Top Distance after sweeping the 1600 and 3200 meters. Holy Cross’ Meah Austin claimed the 100 and 300-meter hurdles gold medals. Sacred Heart’s Jenna French was first in the 800 and second in the 1600. The Hearts’ 4×100-meter relay team of Elysa Lopez, Veronique Recile, Beverly Okoronkwo and Asia Chapman took first place.
For the boys, the gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles belonged to Sacred Heart’s Edward Williams. Holy Cross’ DeAndre Wallace was first in the high jump, and he was named Top Sprinter after coming in second in the 100 and 200-meter races. Teammate Marckens Auguste took gold in the triple jump. Kennedy’s Andry Evangelista earned Senior Scholar honors.
The Woodland girls won their seventh straight NVL team championship while the Derby boys claimed their second straight title.