STONINGTON — Stonington High track coach Ben Bowne chuckles when he reflects on what Joey Hinckley has accomplished during his time with the Bears.
“As a freshman, he was just this kid with a lot of energy,” Bowne said. “If you had told me that in the next four years he would be four times All-State, a three-time New England qualifier, go to nationals and get a medal and be on nearly every school record for the relays, I would have laughed.
“There was no way that kid was going to accomplish all of that.”
But Hinckley did, and the most recent addition to his résumé was an All-ECC Division III first-team honor in the pole vault.
Hinckley cleared 12-0 to take second in the event at the ECC championships. The meet includes teams from all four ECC divisions. Hinckley was the top finisher from Division III.
“He loves track and he loves working hard,” Bowne said. “He really pushed himself.”
Hinckley placed second in the pole vault by clearing 13-0 at the Class M meet. He was sixth at the Open meet with a vault of 13-6 and was 12th at New Englands (13-3).
