Ledyard — The Ledyard High School boys' track and field team paid an emotional tribute Wednesday to teammate Zackory Salomonson.

There was a moment of silence observed by both Ledyard and East Lyme during the school's first meet since Salomonson, a 16-year-old sophomore, died in a car accident on Tuesday.

During the 4x400-meter relay — the final track event of the day — Ledyard competed without a fourth runner. When Patrick Templeton completed the third leg, he placed the baton in the fourth lane to honor Salomonson.

It was a powerful and moving moment.

"He veered off to the fourth lane and that's where his teammates met him," Ledyard coach Jose Sanabria said of Templeton. "He got on his knee and did a prayer point to the sky. Both teams were crying."

It was a difficult day for Sanabria and his team.

Some team members are still recovering from the loss of Conor Irwin, who passed away in December after a skateboarding accident.

Salomonson was happy, energetic and loved by his teammates and coaches, according to Sanabria. The Colonels asked Sanabria if they could honor their teammate during Wednesday's meet.

"They wanted to do something special," Sanabria said.

The 4x400 relay tribute was a fitting choice. Salomonson competed in the 400 meters and also ran the relay last year.

Sanabria was impressed with the way his team came together as a family. He also appreciated the sportsmanship and support from East Lyme, which won the meet 91-74. The community also turned out, as Ledyard parents helped out at the meet.

"I saw mass huddles of brothers holding each other," Sanabria said. "It was comforting to see there was a maturity level that I didn't expect to see. ... We did it as a family."

What happened at Wednesday's meet was just a small step in the healing process.

"The community here at Ledyard is outstanding," Sanabria said. "It was quiet walking into the meet today. It was very emotional for me. They gave me more love than I expected.

"Kudos to the players, coaches and school. I know Zack would have appreciated that. I think he would have run a good race today."