Over the weekend the Gray Bees opened up winter indoor track season with a bang at the Bishop Loughlin Games on December 19.
Runners from all over the tri-state area were the first athletes to experience the new indoor track at the Ocean Breeze Track and Field Facility in Staten Island,N.Y.

Although the Gray Bees had only one medalist, there was still stellar performances from the athletes.

The second event of the day was a two mile race, that consisted of 12 runners including freshman, Ronald Kigen, who performed well according to distance coach Dave Alfano,“Ronald Kigen took a strong third place finish and was with the leader with only 300 meters to go.”

The third heat of the mile had of three Gray Bee runners, UDI Steve Payne, UDII Juan Rosa, and senior Scott Bamberg. Steven Payne, who suffered from back problems early on in the season, carried his team through the mile, running the fastest time among his teammates with a 4:42.

Senior Jared Lampley won heat 17 of the 300 meter. Junior Byron Simmons ran the fourth heat of the 600 meter. With one lap to go Byron found himself in fourth place, but started kicking with 150 meters to go. Digging deep and surging to the finish, Byron finished first in the fourth heat.

Picking up where they left off last year, this team holds big goals for the future. Coach Alfano said “The goal is to compete at a high level.  Millrose Games is only around the corner and we would like to get St. Benedict’s back to this meet.” He said, “Meets such as Essex County, Catholic Conference, Prep Championships, serve as barometers to test our fitness leading up to Indoor Nationals in March.”