MMU meet reveals a bright future for Harwood Track & Field
April 15, 2025 | By Waterbury Roundabout Harwood varsity Track & Field competed at the season’s first meet at Mount Mansfield Union High School last week with both girls and boys teams coming in third place out of four teams.
Harwood freshman Lily Bourbonnais finishes first in the girls' 800m run at Mt. Mansfield Union HS. Courtesy photo
The girls finished with 36 points and the boys with 38 at the April 10 meet, according to head Coach Jake Pitman, who said he was pleased with his teams’ showing at what was a relatively small competition.
“Track and field at this level is often won through the number of competitors. There was an exact correlation between the number of athletes competing for each team and the place their team finished at this meet,” Pitman said. “Balanced competition among all events is very important as well. For example, Harwood has not yet had the opportunity to practice or compete in jumping events this season.”
At the MMU meet, several freshman athletes flexed their talents across various events. Pitman noted that Isabella Pockoski and Connor Rowley are an exciting young duo of throwers who swept their respective throwing events. Pockoski threw a first place, personal record 33’2” in shot put, and first place, personal record 109’ 5” in discus. Rowley threw a first place, personal record 34’4” in shot put, and first place, personal record 102’6” in discus.
Pitman praised Harwood’s throwing coaches, Mindy and Mike Pockoski, who are putting in training hours with the team that are paying off. “Although this was a smaller meet, it was exciting to see two Harwood freshman perform so well against the field,” Pitman said. “While these athletes’ performances are impressive, it did not surprise me in the slightest.”
Two other freshman had excellent results on the track as well, Pitman continued.
Vince Wing competed in his first track meet ever, where he cruised to a 4:51 in the 1500m run and a 10:47 in the 3000m run, the coach recounted.
“I find it difficult to speak modestly about Vince Wing. He represents the future of Harwood boys’ endurance running. He’s one of those kids who everyone is rooting for naturally,” Pitman said. “Credit goes to distance coach Patrick Hamel for preparing Vince so well for his first track meet.”
Freshman Lily Bourbonnais surprised just about everyone with a first-place finish in the 800m and a winning time of 2:47. “I was ear-to-ear [smiling] watching Lily waste no time jumping back into track racing. She is talented and driven,” Pitman said.
The coach also gave credit to Harwood senior Heidi Haraldsen, “who set the tone of the race by leading during the majority of the race with excellent pace.”
Pitman said the example was valuable. “Lily’s result would not have happened without Heidi’s influence in this race,” he said. “The future looks bright for Harwood varsity Track and Field.”
Team results
Boys: Mt. Mansfield Union, 110 points; Peoples Academy, 44 points; Harwood Union, 38 points; Stowe, 24 points
Girls: Tie for first place with 90 points, Mt. Mansfield Union and Peoples Academy; Harwood Union, 36 points; Stowe, 27 points