By Nicholas Calvino
For Abington News
The Abington Boys Track team has had athletes go undefeated for a season – but not for two.
Yet that’s what senior shot-putter Jeff Buckley has done.
Buckley followed up an undefeated 2022 South Shore League spring track season with an undefeated 2023 South Shore League indoor track season. taking first in every league meet.
“He was the outdoor champion in 2022 and was unstoppable even before then,” says Abington Indoor Track Coach Mike Caseley.
Buckley started participating in the shotput in 8th grade while looking for something to do after school. He says he immediately fell in love with it and found his passion.
As a junior last spring, Buckley was South Shore League champion in both shotput and discus, finishing 5th and 8th, respectively, in the state meet. He finished 9th in this month’s Division 5 indoor track state meet.
His personal record for the shot put is 47′ 9″ and 129′ 3″ for the discus.
Buckley said the success feels good considering all the hard work he puts into his craft.
“It’s such a rewarding feeling to go above and beyond with something that you work hard for and the connection to the coaches helps as well,” he said.
Caseley said Buckley’s strength is his consistency and work ethic. Buckley was also a senior captain on the Green Wave football team this fall, earning a spot on the Division 6 Mass. HIgh School Football Coaches Association All-State team.
“As an athlete he is a natural leader for the team and as team captain he is a big role model for the younger and newer players,” Caseley said of Buckley, who has accepted an offer to play football at Bridgewater State University. “This shows on the track and field and also in the weight room.
“I only help him with the footwork and the rest is all him and he really takes initiative and calls the shots on and off the field, especially when they hit the weight room 2-3 times a week.”
The spring track season starts in mid-March and Buckley is again a favorite to repeat as league champion.
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