The girls track team athletes, Alyvia Caruso, Sydney Connolly, Emma Green and teammates cherished every moment in their last high school season, especially their roles in the state meet in Bangor.
All season long, school records, state records and personal bests were achieved. In particular the relay team stuck to their plan and was determined to beat the state record. This season was certainly a great one to end on for the now graduated seniors as they enter a new chapter.
Alyvia Caruso, Sydney Connolly and Emma Green, all GHS track standouts have signed on and committed to a Division I college to compete in their sport, all at different schools respectively.
This tight-knit bunch including Maddie Michaud (GHS ‘22) moving on to play D-I soccer, have been longtime teammates and best friends for the Rams. In this feature, each share a few favorite memories and what they are looking forward to in the upcoming season as college students.
Photo credit: Amanda LandrySenior track standouts. L-R top: Emma Green, Sydney Connolly; L-R bottom: Maddie Michaud, Ashley Connolly
Alyvia Caruso will be attending the University of Rhode Island in the fall, majoring in Textile, fashion marketing and design. She will also minor in Studio Art.
Caruso shares, “my favorite high school memory was breaking 18 feet in the long jump during my senior year, a goal since freshman year.”
“I broke the class A record set in 2016 with a jump of 18’ 5.5” which I never thought was possible for me.” Last year I won the 100 hurdles, and I only started that event halfway through the season.” Caruso goes on to say, it was those moments that made her aware that she was much more capable than she thought.
Caruso is excited for college next year to see improvements in her events. She will begin a new upper body strength training program and she is up for the challenge. GHS has been a springboard of success and Caruso will continue to work hard and build upon what she has already learned outside of her comfort zone. Emma Green will be attending Bryant University, going in undecided at this time.
Green shared her high school memories to include, “definitely creating a family environment within an individual sport. The boys and girls teams have always been divided in Track and Field but this season was different. We have all formed a tight bond as captains and seniors and I am thankful I got to be apart of a team like this.”
Green also shares, “another one of my favorite memories was during this past indoor season. Sydney and Ashley Connolly, Maddie Michaud, and I all broke the state record in the 4×200 meter relay. We came into the meet not expecting it at all. We were about 4 seconds under the record but we all ran our hearts out and I couldn’t be happier.”
And for her final and favorite memory she shares, “probably on the top of the list is what happened at the State meet in Bangor.”
Green was the second leg of the 4×100 m relay team. At the meet, the relay team beat the state record in the event, being the 3rd consecutive title.
Green, after handing off to the 3rd leg, was unable to see the clock. As she makes her way to the finish line she recalls Sydney and Ashley Connolly and Maddie Michaud running around the huge crowd of people yelling “Emma, we did it!”
Green is thankful for these moments. As she looks toward next year she is excited to see where it takes her and looks forward to being part of a new team environment at Bryant.
Sydney Connolly will be attending Merrimack College to study Athletic Training. She is entering the school’s 3+2 master’s program.
Photo credit: Amanda LandrySydney Connolly reacts to beating the state record at 49.15
Connolly reflects on this past season, “there were so many experiences I was so grateful to have back after the years of COVID. I was just so happy to be back with my friends and class to celebrate one last year.”
One of her now favorite highlights (similar to her teammates) is breaking the state record in the 4×100 relay. Connolly recounts, “after multiple attempts, we were finally able to do it at the state meet. I was the last leg of the relay so I got to see the time first. When I realized we broke it, tears immediately started streaming. It was also amazing to break it with 4-year teammates and my younger sister.”
Another key memory from that same meet Connolly shares is their team huddle before the meet started. “The boys and girls teams become united, and we scream a chant to hype each other up. This team’s chemistry is what I will miss the most.”
Although she is sad to leave, she is excited for new things to come with Merrimack.
Connolly explains, “I am excited to learn about something that truly fascinates me and also join a team that will continue to push me as an athlete. I am so grateful that my track career didn’t have to end early. I am happy to say I found a place that is the perfect fit for me.”