Track Teams Have Competitive Edge, High Expectations

By Andy Hutchison

Increasing numbers of participants and rising levels of ability among Newtown High School track and field athletes left Doug Russell and Dan McIlrath, the girls’ and boys’ team coaches, with a decision to set standards to make the teams this spring.

Even after the cuts, the coaches still have 130 or so athletes between the two squads, and both are impressed with the enthusiasm the runners, throwers, and jumpers bring into the campaign.

“I believe that the attitude of the kids this year is quite different,” said Russell, who has seen a bit more of a competitive edge among the team members as a result of the tryouts.

Russell isn’t thinking about his team being among the best this year; he has his mind set on the Nighthawks flat out being the best in the South-West Conference.

“I think we’re contenders for a conference championship this year,” said Russell, whose girls’ squad finished fourth in the SWC championships a year ago. NHS also came in 18th in the Class LL state championships.

Russell’s team is led by Mara Scallon, Anne Martino, Jenny vanVeen, Katie Burns, and Erin Begg — among the strong distance runners who also compete in cross country. Additionally, sprinter Reagan Cerney is switching to distance this spring. Lauren O’Connell brings skill to the jumping events, and Stephanie Clavette, Kristy Papaj, Brooke Newton, and Amy Anyoha are skilled throwers.

The boys were fifth in the conference and eighth in the LL state meet a year ago, and McIlrath is shooting for another top-five SWC finish and another strong showing in states.

“We’re looking pretty good,” McIlrath said. “I think we’re going to be pretty good in almost every sin-gle event.”

The Nighthawks are led by standout thrower John Wlasuk, who won the conference, state, and New England championships during the indoor season, along with pole vaulter Aaron Nezvesky, sprinter Ken Toal, and distance runner Jake Feinstein, who qualified for New Englands during the indoor campaign.

The girls begin the season on Tuesday, April 12, when Weston, Bethel, and Masuk visit the new track at Blue & Gold Stadium for a 4 pm start. The boys, following the season opener at Weston (also against Bethel and Masuk) on April 11, will host a meet on April 25 when Joel Barlow of Redding, New Milford, and Notre Dame-Fairfield come to town.