Meet the T&G Hometeam high school boys' indoor track Super Team for winter 2023-24
The Central Mass High School Sports Awards is proud to announce the player of the year nominees for boys' indoor track. The winners will be announced during the live show on Wednesday, June 26, at the Hanover Theatre. Doors open at 6 and the show begins promptly at 7.
During the live show, athletes of the year in 31 sports will be honored. In addition, top teams, coaches and overall athletes will be honored as will a Courage Award winner. Nominated athletes who RSVP will receive a complimentary ticket to the event thanks to sponsors.
Nominees can register here: Nominee Registration for the 2024 Central Mass High School Sports Awards (smartsheet.com)
Tickets for the public are on sale here: 2024 Central Mass High School Sports Awards Tickets (enmotive.com)
For more information about the show and to opt into email updates, visit its website and you can also follow it on Facebook.
The Central Mass High School Sports Awards show is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country.
More: Meet the T&G Hometeam high school girls' indoor track Super Team for winter 2023-24
Bona Mergia
Littleton High
Senior, Mile
This is Mergia’s third T&G Super Team selection after having previously been honored in cross-country and outdoor track. He won the mile at the Division 5 state championships – after finishing first in the 2-mile at the same meet as a junior – placed fourth at the Meet of Champions and submitted a school-record time of 4 minutes, 19.77 seconds at the New Balance Nationals Indoor. That was the fourth-fastest time in the state among MIAA participants this winter. Mergia’s most memorable moments this season were winning the mile and 1,000-meter run and placing third in the 2-mile to help the Tigers’ three-peat at the D5 state meet along with having unforgettable support from his teammates and coaches. Mergia, an avid golfer, will continue his running career and major in psychology at the University of New Mexico.
Tyler Castillo
Littleton High
Senior, 55
Explosive would best describe Castillo when it came to the 55-meter dash. He sped to first-place finishes at the Mid-Wach League C/D championships, Central Mass. Invitational and, for the second straight year, the Division 5 state championships, where he helped the Tigers three-peat as team titlists. Castillo then placed fifth at the Meet of Champions – an improvement of 12 spots over last season – and 13th in his debut at the New Englands. His top time of 6.51 seconds set a school record and tied for eighth fastest in the state this winter. Castillo, whose most memorable moments of the season were playing Just Dance at practice and winning the D5 state title, will continue his running career at the University of Vermont. He is the son of Cindy Guidi and Jonathan Castillo of Littleton.
Darius Gibbons
Shrewsbury High
Junior, Shot Put
It was a breakout season for Gibbons. The 6-foot, 245-pound shot putter placed second at the Mid-Wach League A/B championships, Central Mass. Invitational and Division 1 state championships. Gibbons then finished ninth in the field of 25 in his Meet of Champions debut. His best effort in the circle spanned 51 feet, 1.75 inches, good for second in school history for indoor track – and just 1.5 inches shy of tying the 25-year-old mark – and 11th in the state this winter. That was one of his most memorable moments of the season, along with being the lone member of the Colonials contingent to compete at the Meet of Champions and the camaraderie he and his teammates developed at meets home and away. He is the son of Handel and Marcelle Gibbons of Shrewsbury.
Michael Gyimah
Worcester Tech
Senior, 55, 300, Relays
Gyimah was a triple threat for the Eagles. In the 55-meter dash, he finished first at the Central Mass. Invitational and Division 3 state championships, ninth at the Meet of Champions and fourth at the New Englands. Gyimah was also second in the 300 and a member of the victorious 800-relay team at the D3 state meet to advance to the Meet of Champions in those two events. He set school records in the 55 (6.51 seconds), 300 (35.31) and 800 relay (1:30.59) as those times ranked eighth, 14th and fourth, respectively, in the state this winter. Gyimah’s most memorable moments this season were winning two gold medals and helping the Eagles place second as a team at the D3 state meet. Gyimah will continue his running career and major in electrical engineering at UMass Lowell. He is the son of Linda and Adjei Gyimah of Worcester.
Joe Lamburn
Algonquin Regional
Senior, 1,000, Relays
Lamburn was top notch when it came to competing in the middle distances. He finished first in the 1,000-meter run at the Mid-Wach League A/B championships and in the mile at the Central Mass. Invitational to help the Titans claim a pair of team titles. Lamburn went on to place sixth in the 1,000 at the Meet of Champions. His time of 2 minutes, 33.32 seconds was a personal record and ranked ninth in the state this winter. Lamburn also helped the 3,200-relay team win league, CMass and Division 2 state championships before taking second at the Meet of Champions and, in his most memorable moment of the season, fifth at the New Englands in a school-record time of 7:57.70. This two-time T&G Super Team selection will attend Southern Connecticut State University. He is the son of Cathie and Seth Lamburn of Northborough.
Ari Levine
Hopedale High
Sophomore, Shot Put
What a sensational season it was for this super sophomore. The 6-foot, 250-pound Levine finished first at three MSTCA meets in Boston, the Dual Valley Conference championships and the Central Mass. Invitational. He then placed fourth at the Meet of Champions, making him the lone underclassmen to medal. Levine advanced to the New Englands, where, as the only underclassman in the field of 36, he took ninth with an effort of 54 feet, 3.75 inches. That put of the shot shattered the 11-year-old school record by nearly 9 feet and ranked fourth in the state this winter. Levine’s most memorable moment of the season came when he learned he had qualified for the finals, the ensuing experience being fun and energetic in a supportive environment. He is the son of Susan and Jeremy Levine of Hopedale.
Miles Lipka
Algonquin Regional
Junior, Multi-Event
Lipka did a lot of everything while earning his second T&G Super Team selection in track. The 6-foot, 175-pounder scored a school-record 3,441 points while winning the MSTCA Distance Classic and Pentathlon, finished first in the 55-meter hurdles and long jump at the Central Mass. Invitational and took third in the shot put at the Mid-Wach League A/B championships. Then there was the high jump. Lipka soared to new heights, clearing 6 feet 4 inches on four occasions, including at the Meet of Champions to secure third place. That was a personal record by five inches and an effort that tied for sixth in the state this winter. Lipka’s most memorable moments of the season were helping the Titans capture team titles at the league and CMass meets. He is the son of Sarah and Ron Lipka of Northborough.
Cole New
Ayer-Shirley
Junior, 600, Relays
New was a peak performer for the Panthers, steadily lowering his times in the 600-meter run as the season progressed. He finished first at the Central Mass. Invitational, placed second at the Division 5 state championships and took sixth at the Meet of Champions. New then produced his most memorable moment of the season, working his way from last place to win his heat and place second overall at the New Englands. His time of 1 minute, 21.66 seconds broke the school record by 4-plus seconds and ranked sixth in the state this winter. New was also part of a terrific 1,600 relay team that took gold at the at the D5 state meet and silver at the Meet of Champions. New, whose hobbies include golfing, skiing and tubing, plans to major in business in college. He is the son of Jennifer and Michael New of Ayer.
Cyprian Kosisochukwu Ojatabu
Worcester Tech
Senior, 300, Relays
Ojatabu’s most memorable moment of the season came in his final race as he and his 800-meter relay teammates finished 17th in the championship division at the Nike Indoor Nationals. There were numerous other highlights along the way. Ojatabu placed third in the 300-meter dash at the Division 3 state championships before placing 14th at the Meet of Champions and 15th at the New Englands. In the 800 relay, Ojatabu helped the Eagles finish first at the Central Mass. Invitational and D3 state meet and ninth at the Meet of Champions. He posted a personal-best time of 35.48 seconds in the 300 and a school-record clocking of 1:30.59 in the 800 relay. Ojatabu will continue his running career and major in electrical engineering at UMass Lowell. He is the son of Kate and Vitalis Ojatabu of Worcester.
Parker Rogers
Marlborough High
Senior, Shot Put
Rogers is a two-year captain of the Panthers’ indoor and outdoor track teams who leads in multiple ways, including his performance in the throwing circle. The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder finished first in the shot put at the Mid-Wach League A/B championships, fourth at the Central Mass. Invitational, third at the Division 4 state championships and eighth at the Meet of Champions. Rogers’ top effort of 53 feet, 11.5 inches was a personal best that ranked second in school history and fifth in the state this winter. His most memorable moment of the season occurred in the second meet when he broke 50 feet for the first of many times. Rogers will attend the University of South Carolina and has a career goal of becoming a leader in the automotive industry by designing parts that are used worldwide. He is the son of Lisa and Seth Rogers of Marlborough.
Jack Stahl
Bromfield School
Senior, 600
Stahl aspires to pursue a career in medicinal chemistry. He certainly came up with a successful formula this season. Stahl finished first in the 600-meter run at the MSTCA’s Speed Classic _ setting the meet record in the small schools division _and Coaches Invitational and the Division 5 state championships. He then placed seventh at the Meet of Champions. Stahl’s most memorable moment of the season was breaking 1 minute, 23 seconds for the first time as it gave him confidence the 11-year-old school record was within reach. Two weeks later, he got that mark, clocking a 1:22.86, an effort that ranked 12th in the state this winter. Stahl, a captain of the cross-country and indoor and outdoor track teams, will continue his running career and major in chemistry at Amherst College. He is the son of Annie and Brian Stahl of Devens.
Antonio Wiafe
St. John’s High
Senior, Multi-Event
Wiafe competed in the 55-meter hurdles, high jump, pentathlon, and multiple relays for the Pioneers. He was at his best in the long jump, leading to his third T&G Super Team selection in track. This 6-foot-2, 190-pound captain was undefeated in Catholic Conference competition. Wiafe then finished first at the Division 1 state championships and Meet of Champions, where his school-record effort of 22 feet, 7.75 inches topped the field of 24 by nearly a foot. He ended the season by placing third at the MSTCA Individual Pentathlon, scoring a school-record 3,362 points, and finishing 12th in the long jump in the championship division at the New Balance Nationals Indoor. And for all that, Wiafe’s most memorable moments of the season were sharing a meal – ideally from Cali-ritos Burrito Grill in Shrewsbury – with his teammates after a practice or a meet. Wiafe will continue his track career and major in finance at the University of Connecticut with a career goal of becoming a wealth management advisor. He is the son of Stephanie Wiafe of Shrewsbury.
Stephen White
Algonquin Regional
Senior, Mile, Relays
This is the second T&G Super Team selection for White, who was previously honored in cross-country. He finished first in the mile at the Mid-Wach League A/B championships and in the 2-mile at the Central Mass. Invitational before winning both events at the Division 2 state championships. White then placed second in the mile at the Meet of Champions. His top time of 4 minutes, 18.17 seconds was a school record and ranked second in the state among MIAA competitors this winter. White was also a member of the 3,200-meter relay foursome that finished second at the Meet of Champions and, in a school-record effort of 7:57.70, fifth at the New Englands. White will continue his running career at Colby College with a career goal of becoming a financial adviser. He is the son of Rebecca Sendak and Joseph White of Southborough.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Meet the T&G Hometeam high school boys' indoor track Super Team for winter 2023-24
