Last outdoor track season was far from normal, but regardless of how it went, when it ended, several Capital Area teams finished on top.
The Coe-Brown Bears swept the Division II team titles, while the Hopkinton girls won the D-III crown.
The Concord boys finished second in D-I and the Kearsarge boys were the D-III runner-up, just two points behind the champions from Newport.
Four New Hampshire athletes made it all the way to Nationals, and all of them hail from the Capital Area. Northwood’s Addison Cox now runs for the University of New Hampshire, but younger brother Aidan Cox (Coe-Brown Northwood Academy), Loudon’s Seth Baylus (Merrimack Valley) and Epsom’s Shane Wang (Concord Christian) are all back to defend their state titles and state records.
For the first time since spring of 2019, large invitationals will be held, allowing athletes from several teams the chance to compete head-to-head.
Area track programs open season with smaller meets this week (Concord travels to Alvirne for a dual meet on Tuesday, while Bow and John Stark also open Tuesday in a four-team meet at Manchester West), but the Pelham Invitational (April 16) is less than two weeks away.
Other large meets of interest to local teams are the Sanborn Invitational (April 23), Coe-Brown’s Black Bear Invitational (April 30) and the Merrimack Invitational (May 12).
The Division I championship is scheduled for May 27 at Salem, while the D-II and D-III championships are slated for May 28 at Pelham.
An outlook for the area’s track teams is below.
CONCORD
Coach: Hayden Daly (20th year)
Last year: Boys: D-I runner-up; Girls: tied 6th in D-I
Top returners: Boys: Jacque Tunguru, jr., sprints; Quinn Marino, jr., sprints; Sam Hilts, sr., distance; John Murphy, sr., distance; Zach Hooper, sr., distance; Liam Gleason, jr., distance; Luke Champney, sr., jumps; Sam Foulds, jr., throws; Girls: Ayva Mullen, so., sprints/jumps; Whitney Vaillant, so., distance; Avery Fitcher, jr., distance; Molly Nyhan, jr., distance; Abby Goulas, sr., distance; Katherine Kennedy, sr., distance; Alina Pincoske, so., distance; Alexis Christie, jr., distance; Kendall Barton, so., pole vault; Katherine Muller, jr., pole vault; Nydia Lane, jr., sprints; Cassie Pfitzenmayer, sr., throws
Top newcomers: Girls: Phoebe Dater-Roberts, fr., distance; Shelly Smith, fr., distance
Outlook: The Tide boys had a very strong regular season in 2021, but ran into a dominant Nashua North team at the D-I state championship meet. Even with the graduation of last year’s 1,600- and 3,200-meter champion Eben Bragg, Concord still boasts one of the deepest and most talented pools of distance runners in the state that can score big points against any team. The Tide girls, like their counterparts, also have a strong crew of distance runners (both cross country teams finished second in D-I this past fall). Ayva Mullen had an outstanding rookie campaign for the Concord girls and is back to defend her D-I triple jump championship title. Mullen broke a 46-year old school record in the triple and also finished third in the long jump. Both teams also have good athletes in the sprints and field events, and also have large rosters which bode well for relays.
Coach: Jon Uhouse (9th year)
Last year: Boys: tied 8th in D-II; Girls: tied 13th in D-II
Top returners: Boys: Lincoln Routhier, sr.; Adem Aricanli, sr.; Connor Bernard, sr.; Michael Pelletier, sr.; Nick Detrio, sr.; Quinn Lewis, sr.; Dylan Gazaway, sr.; Riley McMinn, jr.; Girls: Sierra Mason, sr.; Laurel Arce, sr.; Maya Brochu, jr.; Sage Konstantakos, jr.; Ali Sargent, jr.; Susanna Zahn, jr.
Outlook: The Falcons ended the season with strong finishes at the D-II championship and Meet of Champions – highlighted by the boys’ 4×800 relay taking second and Brochu finishing second in the 3,200 at MOC – and based on early time trials and training, the Falcons are picking up right where they left off.
“The boys team has a lot to prove and has been training in the offseason to do that,” Uhouse said. “The boys are well-represented in the field events, as well as individual and relay events on the track. After just finishing outside the top 10 in 2021, the girls too have been working hard in the offseason. With a strong core of leaders, the Falcon girls’ team has what it takes to make some noise from the field events all the way through to the 3,200.”
Coach: Brent Tkaczyk (20th year)
Last year: Boys: D-II champions: Girls: D-II champions
Top returners: Boys: Aidan Cox, jr.; Liam McLean, so.; Zack Blades, jr.; Nikhil Chavda, jr.; Matthew Corriveau, jr.; Gavin Demas, jr.; Finn Hill, jr.; Wyatt Olofson, jr.; Ben Robinson, jr.; Tyler Tkaczyk, jr.; Rowan Boyce, sr.; Jacob Cowan, sr.; Lars Hogne, sr.; Anders Larson, sr.; Max Lupinacci, sr.; Girls: Anna Bergeron, so.; Kyleigh Prusia, so.; Anushka Chavda, jr.; Alexis Cowan, jr.; Sheldyn Fisher, jr.; Madeleine Grenier, jr.; Mary Joy, jr.; Emma Larson, jr.; Josephine Malloy, jr.; Natalie Sicard, jr.; Mallory Taylor, jr.; Olivia Buzzell, sr.; Amelia Edmonds, sr.; Makenna Lee, sr.; Natalie Riley, sr.
Top newcomers: Boys: Zack Bistany, jr.; Girls: Delaney Manning, fr.; Shannon Ross, fr.
Outlook: The Bear boys graduated a class that contributed a large portion of points towards Coe-Brown’s title run, but “the next generation is excited for the opportunity to compete,” coach Tkaczyk said. The boys return Aidan Cox, last year’s 3,200 state-record holder and champion, and Anders Larson (defending runner-up in both long jump and triple jump).
The girls graduated Addison Cox (last year’s 1,600 and 3,200 champion, runner-up in the 800), but even with the loss of her 28 points, the Bears still would’ve won the state title by a comfortable margin.
“The girls are strong in field events, relays, middle and long distance,” coach Tkaczyk said. “They are an energetic group that is excited to compete and improve as the weather improves and the season progresses.”
Among the returning talent is defending shot put and discus champion Riley and pole vault champion Buzzell.
Teams to beat: Boys: Windham, Oyster River, Merrimack Valley; Girls: Oyster River, Milford, Plymouth, Souhegan
Coaches: Pat Scott (7th year) and Joel Kress
Last year: Boys: DNS in D-II; Girls: 19th in D-II
Top returners: Boys: Myles Hooper, sr., throws; Jaden Nelson, sr., throws; Eli Lemire, so., distance; Girls: Izabel Korbet, so., hurdles; Brianna Langdon, sr., sprints; Rebecca Mussey, so., throws; Alyson Kenney, sr., hurdles
Top newcomers: Boys: Austin Burkhamer, sr., throws/jumps; Rio Calle, fr., jumps; Ethan Vellieux, fr., distance; Girls: Ayris Beliveau, fr., sprints/hurdles
Outlook: The General boys are led by strong veteran throwers group and a lot of newcomers from all classes, while the girls have a small roster, but are strong in the sprints and hurdles.
“(We have) many promising young athletes with length and size to develop in the future,” Scott said. “(The girls) are looking to improve in the throws and put up competitive relays teams.”
Teams to beat: Boys: Coe-Brown, Oyster River; Girls: Coe-Brown, Oyster River, Milford
Coaches: Bob Mullen (31st year) and Dave Irving (12th year)
Last year: Boys: tied 8th in D-II; Girls: tied 8th in D-II
Top returners: Boys: Seth Baylus, sr.; Bishow Thapa, jr.; Tyler Wallace, jr.; Marshall Carey-Matthews, jr.; Mark Mercier, jr.; Girls: Sophia Reynolds, sr.; Victoria Leak, jr.; Sam Kimball, jr.
Outlook: The Pride is a smaller team than it has been in past years, but MV has some of the best athletes in the state, including Baylus, the defending D-II champion in the 100 and 200, and state-record holder with a time of 10.77 seconds in the 100 dash. MV is a well-balanced program that is good at developing athletes in all events across the board, especially technical events like the field events and hurdles, and the Pride is always good for competitive relays at the state championships.
Coach: Mike Valotto (3rd year as head coach, 7th overall)
Last year: Boys: 12th in D-II; Girls: 17th in D-II
Top returners: Boys: Isaiah Berkeley, jr.; Jake Demers, so.; Benjamin Dugas, jr.; Ethan Fredyma, so.; Stephen St. Laurent, sr.; David Testerman, sr.; Jimmy Valotto, jr.; Girls: Maggie Bowes, so.; Elizabeth Duchesne, jr.; Abigail Duchesne, jr.; Reagan Ellsworth, so.; Macie Hanson, jr.; Rebecca Insley, jr.; Meredith Kiander, so.; Quinn Lesmerises, so.; Leila Thomas-Guerzon, jr.; Treic Thomas-Guerzon, so.; Zoie Wall, jr.; Mollie Wallace, jr.
Top newcomers: Boys: Corbin Brown, fr.; Bradley Cepeck, fr.; Taylor Davis, so.; Andrei Gentes, so.; Daniel Johnson, fr.; Trevor Lemaire, fr.; Connor Longacre, fr.; Sam Thomas, fr.; Dillon Thomas, so.; Ty Valley, so.; Robert Wentworth, fr.; Girls: Kayla Amyot, fr.; Samantha Canning, jr.; Lillian Corbitt, jr.; Camdyn Despres, fr.; Ava Dixon, fr.; Ava Kennedy, fr.; Natalie Longacre, jr.; Soleil Pero, so.; Victoria Tarr, fr.
Outlook: The Spartans have some strong returning talent from cross country and winter track, including boys’ team captains Valotto (shot put) and St. Laurent (sprints), plus Dugas (1,600) and Testerman (distance). The girls are led by captain Abby Duchesne (3,200), Lizzie Duchesne (3,200), Wall (hurdles) and Despres (sprints).
“We have younger kids with talent who are new to the sport, which will make us competitive (in future) seasons,” coach Valotto said.
Coaches: Scott Clark (7th year) and Caroline Gamble (1st year)
Last year: Boys: 5th in D-III; Girls: 10th in D-III
Outlook: The Raiders graduated their only individual champion, but the boys return qualifers in several disciplines, as do the girls.
Coach: Diane Morey (12th year)
Last year: Boys: tied 23rd in D-II; Girls: 11th in D-III
Top returners: Boys: Alan Yap, so., sprints; Josh Gentchos, so., sprints/jumps; Charlie Miller, sr., sprints; Jack Beauchesne, jr., sprints; Nate Steigmeyer, jr., sprints; Nick Brown, so., sprints; Girls: Katie Palmateer, sr., distance
Top newcomers: Boys: Greg Watson, jr., throws; Matt Wiley, sr., sprints/throws; Nick Steigmeyer, jr., sprints
Outlook: Palmateer finished second in D-III in the 3,200 last year and runner-up in cross country in the fall, and hopes to wrap up her running career at Brady with a title in one of the distance events. The boys’ 4×100 relay scored at states last year and all four members of that squad are back in hopes of improving at states this year, while Nate Steigmeyer (400) and Gentchos (triple jump) hope to score points in their individual events.
Coach: Emilee Risteen (1st year)
Last year: Boys: 10th in D-III; Girls: no team
Top returner: Boys: Shane Wang, sr., jumps
Outlook: After having just four athletes (all boys) and no coach last year, Concord Christian is rebuilding with a new coach and a roster with over 20 athletes.
“The majority of the team is brand new to track and field,” Risteen said. “We have a bunch of excited athletes who want to try new things, sharpen their skills and find the events that best fit their athletic talents.”
A notable exception to this is Wang, who won the D-III and MOC titles in both the triple jump (setting the state record in the process) and long jump last year, and competed at Nationals in the triple.
Coaches: Jen Schongalla and Jenn Daniel (2nd year)
Last year: Boys: DNS; Girls: DNS
Outlook: The Tornadoes don’t return any state qualifiers, but has “a lot of young athletes new to the sport. The largest track and field team (boys and girls combined) we’ve had in some time,” Daniel said.
Coach: Makayla Savoy (1st year)
Last year: Boys: DNS in D-III; Girls: DNS in D-III
Top returners: Boys: Michael Denslow, so.; Logan Irwin, jr.; Greg LeBlanc, jr.; Girls: Signy Burke-Smith, so.; Alejandra Whisman, jr.
Outlook: “There are a lot of new faces this year,” Savoy said. “It is almost a completely new team with only five returners. There is a lot of talent on the team and I am looking forward to seeing these athletes grow throughout the season.”
Coach: Rob Rothe (6th year)
Last year: Boys: tied 25th in D-III; Girls: D-III champions
Top returners:Boys: Ben Daniels, so., distance; Matt Clarner, so., distance; Girls: Grace Hall, so., jumps/sprints; Elise Miner, jr., javelin; Hannah Bennett, jr., distance; Cailey Stockwell, sr., distance; Anna O’Reilly, sr., distance
Outlook: The Hawks many important pieces from last year’s champion team, including Hall, who won the triple jump and long jump titles, in addition to a fourth-place finish in the 100, as a freshman.
“We’re looking to improve in the sprints and add some athletes into other events we haven’t been competitive in during previous seasons,” Rothe said. “This team is made up of a mix of some really great multi-sport athletes. They have had some very successful seasons this year already and are eager to get to work to show what they can do this spring.”
The boys only scored four points at last year’s D-III championship, but “we are seeing a lot of strong athletes that have progressed since last season,” according to Rothe. “There are a lot of young athletes on the team, and their potential to continue to grow and improve is very high.”
Coach: MaryAnn Morcom (1st year as head coach, 26th overall)
Last year: Boys: D-III runner-up; Girls: 7th in D-III
Top returners: Boys: JJ Davis, sr.; Augie Zock, jr; Evan Menard, sr.; Hunter Stanchfield, jr.; Gavin Garzia, sr.; Girls: Kate Cochran, sr.; Amelia Lebebvre, so.; Ayla Frenkiewich, sr.; Molly Ellison, so.
Top newcomers: Boys: Zach Hodge, sr.; Andrew Brahan, fr.; Sean Stanchfield, fr.; Girls: Annie Chambers, sr.; Gabby Lamb, fr.; Ellie Wimer, fr.
Outlook: The Cougar boys finished second to Newport in D-III by just two points last year and return Davis (defending 400 meter champion), in addition to many other athletes on both the boys’ and girls’ squads who qualified for the state meet last year.
“Lots of new faces and old,” Morcom said. “The returning starters are looking strong. Both teams are well-balanced.”
Kearsarge is arguably the deepest program in D-III and have athletes who can qualify – and score points – in all disciplines across the board and are always a threat at the state championship.
Teams to beat: Boys: Belmont, Campbell, Monadnock; Girls: Portsmouth Christian, Monadnock, Hopkinton
Coach: Patti Malone (2nd year)
Last year: Boys: 9th in D-III; Girls: DNS in D-III
Top returners: Boys: Aidan Donohue, jr., sprints/jumps; Patrick Goodwin, sr., sprints/throws; Joey Damato, sr., distance; Lucas Robdau, sr., jumps; Leighton Morrison, sr., jumps
Top newcomers: Boys: David Swain, fr., distance; Brendan Goodwin, fr., mid-distance; Aemon Gauthier, fr., sprints/jumps; Luke Cote, fr., sprints/jumps; Girls: Jordan Boelig, jr., sprints/pole vault; Vanessa Power, so., sprints/throws/jumps; Victoria Kelly, so., sprints/hurdles
Outlook: The Winnisquam boys graduated most of their distance runners, but still have Donohue (top returner in the 200 in D-III, third last year) and Robdau (seventh in the triple jump), while the girls have enough athletes to compete as a team for the first time in a few years. The girls are bolstered by the addition of Kelly – who transferred from Franklin.
“This year, I’ve got 12 solid female athletes across almost every event,” Malone said. “Each and every one of them has shown an amazing commitment to being their best and a willingness to fill in gaps wherever they may be. We gained quite a few wrestlers for this season as well, and they’re coming off a great winter season and are in wonderful shape as far as conditioning goes. I’m very excited to try a few of them out at pole vault, which we’ll be able to do as a team this year. The only real flaw I can find in our team right now is that we’re relatively young. This is a rebuilding year for us essentially. I still think we’ll do well overall, though, as most of our new athletes are tackling that challenge with gusto.”
Teams to beat: Boys: Kearsarge, Newport; Girls: Hopkinton, Newfound