The Dunkirk/Silver Creek 1,600-meter relay team competed at the New Balance Indoor National meet in Boston last weekend. Pictured, from left to right, are Michael Hanlon, Nathan Carlson, Johnee Thomas and Lucas Lawrie. Submitted Photo

BOSTON, Mass. — The Dunkirk/Silver Creek foursome of Michael Hanlon, Nathan Carlson, Johnee Thomas and Lucas Lawrie wrapped up their indoor track and field season on Sunday, running with the best at the New Balance Nationals.

The quartet did not have their best run of the season, but posted a time of 3:28.40 to earn 43rd overall. The fastest run of the season came a week earlier at the state championships when the team ran a time of 3:26.90.

“Dubbed the ‘Fastest Party on the Planet,’ it truly was as we got to watch multiple national high school records get broken,” Dunkirk/Silver Creek head coach Adam Woelfle said about the New Balance Nationals. “Although they did not run their fastest race of the year, they ran a 3:28.40, which was good for 43rd overall. Not bad for a meet with the best in the nation.”

The finishing position was not the most important part of the season. Rather it was about the experience gained competing with the best.

“It was also just meant to be an experience and team-building time for them as they all come back for outdoors,” Woelfle added about the event. “Dunkirk is the defending Division II section champions and finished sixth in DII at the state meet.”

The Dunkirk/Silver Creek squad was able to watch collegiate nationals with athletes that may be competing at the Olympics in Paris this summer.

“Thanks to donations from some local clubs,” Woelfle added, “we also got to go watch the NCAA DI Indoor Track Championships and watch a collegiate national record get broken and multiple athletes that may be in Paris this summer. So a big thank you to those supporting clubs for the donations to help them get an experience of a lifetime.”

The New Balance Nationals signaled the end of the indoor season for the quartet, but in a few weeks time the team will work towards more success outdoors.

“We have a few weeks off now before the outdoor season starts up,” Woelfle said. “But get ready to see those four names again as they prepare to defend their section title and are seeking more hardware at the state meet.”