Local indoor track teams returned to action last week and teams are preparing to compete at the highest level after seasons of growth for many last year.
The indoor divisional championships are slated for Feb. 1 at UNH and Feb. 8 at Plymouth State, and the clock is already ticking. Within the span of less than two months, the best will have to prove themselves if they want to make it to the Meet of Champions.
This weekend, starting Saturday, Dec. 20, all local teams will see action at locations across the state, including Philips Exeter Academy, UNH and even the University of Southern Maine in Gorham. Teams will competye nearly every weekend until the state meets start.
More information on meets can be found on the respective school websites or by visiting NHXCTF’s website at nh.staterunning.net
Concord
Division: I
Coach: Zach Procek (second year)
Last year: Boys DNS; Girls D-I runner-up
Returning starters: Grace Saysaw, sr., 55m; Deagan Hines, sr., 55m, 300m; Trevin Duffy, sr., 55m, 300m; Travis Dunbar, sr., shot put; Consuelo Borico, jr., shot put; Bakela Massaquoi, sr., 55m hurdles; Spencer Clemans, so., 3000m; Quinn Doherty, jr., 1500m; Gianna Gualtieri, jr., 400m outdoor.
Top newcomers: “We have some new athletes who look fantastic in practice but have yet to be tested in competition.” – Procek
Outlook: “We have quite a few upperclassmen who are stepping up to leadership and looking to leave a mark on the team, and we have a lot of new athletes who we are sure will make great improvements as they figure out how indoor track works. It is going to be a good season, and one with more unknowns than we’ve had in recent years. Unknowns always mean potential, and it will be exciting to see how far our athletes can go.” – Procek
Teams to beat: Nashua North, Nashua South, Pinkerton and Exeter.
Belmont
Division: II
Coach: Scott Clark (13th year)
Last year: Boys DNS; Girls 3rd
Returning starters: Ava Lacasse, sprints; Cullen Decato, sprints; Ethan Rivera, shot put.
Bishop Brady
Division: II
Coach: Diane Morey (16th year), Megan Morey (eighth year)
Last year: Boys DNS; Girls T-19th
Returning starters: Cilla Abrahamson, sr., throws; LJ Putnam, sr., sprints and jumps.
Top newcomers: Sabastian Wilcox, fr., sprints and jumps; Autumn Rosario, fr., distance.
Outlook: “After a week of practices, I suspect my top performers are Sabastian in sprints and jumps, and Autumn in distance.” – Diane Morey
Bow
Division: II
Coach: Amt King (third year), Dan Attorri (fifth year)
Last year: Boys T-15th; Girls 6th
Returning starters: Boys: Gavin Buxton, sr., sprints; Luke Darling, jr., sprints; George Kohl, so., mid-distance; Ian Sandahl, so., distance; Lucas Slayton, jr., sprints; Wyatt Worcester, sr., distance. Girls: Julia Hou, sr., distance; Charlotte Larochelle, sr., sprints/jumps; Camden Wilson, jr., high jump; Vita Flagg, so., hurdles/sprints; Autumn Bureau, so., jumps/sprints; Keegan O’Meara, so., mid-distance/jumps; Reanne Hubbard, so., mid-distance/jumps; Charlotte Weiss, jr., shot put.
Top newcomers: Boys: Andrew Clough, sr., sprints; Ryan Pawlowski, fr., distance. Girls: Ava Adams, jr., mid-distance; Gwen Barrieau, jr., sprints; Madison Pfister, jr., mid-distance/jumps; Emma Bryant, fr., high jump; Jolee Trudel, fr., sprints; Mary Valas, so., distance.
Outlook: “The girls are especially strong in the sprints, mid-distance and jumping events, and we are looking to develop more state qualifiers in other events to be competitive with the top teams in the division. We are excited about our senior leadership from captains Larochelle and Hou, and having so many strong athletes from outdoor track joining the team.” – Staff
“Our boys’ team is smaller, but very experienced and has excellent senior leadership from captains Buxton and Worcester. It’s a hardworking and cohesive group that has a lot of potential, especially on the track.” – Staff
Teams to beat: Oyster River, Coe-Brown, Hanover, Milford and Merrimack Valley.
Coe-Brown
Division: II
Coach: David Zink (18th year)
Last year: Boys 8th; Girls 6th
Returning starters: Bristol Shirland, sprints; Annabelle Lovett, distance; Eloise Hill, distance; Isabelle Grenier, throws; Ethan Newick, sprints and hurdles; Jackson Doran, sprints and jumps; Brogan Gryzbowski, sprints; Patrick Youngs, distance; Ben Larson, distance; Ben Jobin, distance; Broden Cox, distance; Samuel Youngs, distance; Gus Glaser, distance.
John Stark
Division: II
Coach: Joel Kress (fifth year)
Last year: Boys 3rd; Girls T-16th
Returning starters: Boys: Grant Spooner, sr.; Austin Freeman, sr.; Owen Dion, sr., throws. Girls: Hailey Thellen, so.; Grace Meisser, so.; Katelyn Lorenz, sr.; Anna Chasse, jr.; Rylee Barnard, sr.
Top newcomers: Boys: Gavin Arel, jr.; Shane Lacroix, jr.; Jackson Loiselle, so.; Austin Pautenade. Girls: Sophie Boswell, jr.; Payton Mathieu, sr.; Katherine Smith, sr.; Nora Smith, so.
Outlook: “John Stark indoor track has had a lot of turnover, with graduates and athletes choosing other sports, but we have replaced them with a lot of top athletes from XC and spring track trying indoor for the first time. Although there is only one event (shot put) during indoor, our throwing squad is going to be one to watch (both boys and girls). Also, our distance squad has migrated from the XC team and looks to continue to run well. We also have some new sprinters who look fast right from the gun.” – Kress
Merrimack Valley
Division: II
Coach: Bob Mullen (35th year), Dyrace Maxfield (second year), Sarah Zarakotas (assistant)
Last year: Boys T-5th; Girls T-22nd
Returning starters: Reagan Jefferson, jr.; Emily Baca, jr.; Emma Geoffroy, so.
Top newcomers: Genevieve Blanchette, fr.; Brylee Flood, fr.; Lily Perkins, fr.
Outlook: “Several members of the girls cross country team, coming off a great season, and additional freshmen specializing in throws will make for a quality team.” – Maxfield
Teams to beat: Oyster River, Hollis Brookline, Belmont and Coe-Brown.
Winnisquam
Division: II
Coach: Patti Malone (fourth year)
Last year: Boys T-21st; Girls DNS
Returning starters: The core sprint contingent from the senior girls will look to continue their trend of good indoor seasons, and we’re especially looking for Denessa Williams to shine in the 300m and Kaiden Robb in the 600m. Nolan Abbott brings considerable race experience at the 300m and 600m distances, which will hopefully help lead a new batch of Winnisquam racers at those distances to success.
Top newcomers: Very excited to have Lexi Myers joining us after a strong outdoor season last spring. The amount of depth our freshmen are giving to the team is also a huge bonus.
Outlook: “We’re a young team, there’s no doubt about it. The size of the team doubled from last year to this year, so the majority have never competed indoors before. I think our greatest strength this season is going to be their love of competition and the sport itself, as they all seem to be enjoying the season thus far.” – Malone
Teams to beat: Coe-Brown, Pelham and Gilford.