EG's Fazio Heads To Indoor Track Nationals Friday

East Greenwich has a small indoor track team but sure can turn in some big results. This year at the state championship in February, Ben Fazio placed first in the 1,000 meter race and the 4x800 relay team placed second in states – these big wins from a squad of just six.

They competed again in the New England regional championships, with Fazio placing fifth in the 1,000. He competes in the national championship Friday (March 8) in New York City.

The 4x800 team – Graham Chapski, Nate Waddell, Scott Fazio, Garrett Scanlon, and alternate Tommy Sommers – and Caleb Gladstone, who ran the 600 meters, all ran personal bests at the New Englands.

When I caught up with Coach Peter Dion earlier this week, he was out at the track, where Fazio was practicing. Coincidentally, former EGHS track star Nick Ross (home from college) was running on the track too.

"It’s funny, our last state champion was Nick Ross and they’re both on the track right now," said Dion.

Fazio ran a great race at states, Dion said.

"He ran a negative split throughout the race. Every time he ran the next 200 meters, it was faster than the previous 200 meters. Which is smart running, it’s great running," he said. "He didn’t lead the race until 140 meters to go and then he took the lead. He ran the last 50 shaking off those other kids."

At New Englands, Fazio was seated 14th and he finished 5th, running a personal record. With that time, he qualified for nationals. He will run in the "emerging elite 800" (there is no 1,000 at Nationals) at 1 p.m. on Friday, accompanied by Dion, who is taking a personal day. (Dion teaches physical education at Cole Middle School.)

Congratulations Boys Indoor Track team. Go Ben!