2005 Westfield Boys Outdoor Track Review

Few schools in the state could match the star power of the 2005 Westfield Boys Track team. Seemingly no stage was too challenging for their talented pole-vaulters Mike Woods and Michael Gorski and their distance star Jeffrey Perrella but the Blue Devils fell short in smaller meets as a lack of depth kept them from any team championships.

Woods and Gorski were nearly unbeatable in two man pole vault relay competitions and saved their best effort for the prestigious East coast Relays, when the two combined for a meet record of 29-9, by each jumping a personal best. Woods soared 15-3 and Gorski jumped 14-6.

“Both boys developed steadily their entire careers, worked hard and good things happened” said veteran Westfield Track Coach Jack Martin.

Woods cleared 15 feet for the first time in the Union County Championships to upset favored Anthony Abitante of Governor Livingston, the state’s top pole vaulter and give the Blue Devils their only first place finish. What made the achievement more unique was that Woods had borrowed Abitante’s pole because he thought the pole was better than his was at clearing the height.

After a sub par performance in the slippery conditions at the Group IV championships, Gorski and Woods recovered smartly at the most important individual meet of the year and finished second and third at the Meet of Champions behind Abitante. Junior Lawrence Kao came on strong near the end of the year to also qualify for the state championships in the pole vault.

Perrella was also his best at the biggest meets. Facing many of the top runners in the nation at the Penn Relays 3000 meter run, his third place finish was astounding as was his time of 8:33.50, which smashed the Westfield school record formerly held by Blue Devil great Cliff Sheehan and the Union County record by Anthony DeBenedictis of Roselle Park.

Perrella also won the 3200-meter run at the state sectionals and followed that up with a personal best time as he finished a strong second in the 3200-meter race at the Group IV championship at Egg Harbor. Perrella did even better at the Meet of Champions, finishing third in the state and bettered his personal best again with a time of 9:20.12.

Perrella also was outstanding in the mile and had a season best of 4:21.2.
“ I feel like I had a good season but my goal is to win races not finish second or third,” said Perrella.

“My season was alright, I didn't win many big meets but I was always right there knocking on the door. Hopefully, next year will be different.”

“Jeff ranks up there with the best at 3200 and could be up there in 1600 as well. His cross country performances are definitely among the best as well,” said Martin

There was a big drop in performances after the big three. Losing standout 800-meter runner rob Broadbent midway through the season hurt the team in numerous ways, including relays where Broadbent was a key member.

“He was a big loss,” said Martin.
“Most importantly I feel bad for Rob because he worked hard and is really into the sport.”

Westfield had a deep and strong distance group made up primarily of underclassmen. Ameer Rogers, Raymond Chen, Jay Hoban and Kris Kagan will team with Perrella to make the Blue Devils one of the top cross-country teams in the state next year.

The season ended on a sad note with the death of long time Westfield Track and Cross Country Coach Walt Clarkson. Martin is among the many coaches and runners that Clarkson left an indelible mark.

“Westfield track and field is what it is today because of Walt. Much of what we do today
(Especially the importance of team) is an extension and continuation of Walt’s.
philosophy. Walt was a man who was genuinely interested in WHS success in all
sports, not simply track and cross country,” said Martin.