After a successful indoor season, the Newtown High School girls’ track and field team is looking forward to training to put their best foot forward at the South-West Conference and State Championships this spring.

The Nighthawks’ long-standing goal of winning the SWC Championship was achieved during the winter, as Newtown claimed the title for the first time since 1999. The team is looking forward to another battle at the SWC meet this spring. Additionally, this indoor season, the Nighthawks had their highest team finish at the Class LL State Championship, placing fourth.

It was just recently announced that the classes have been reestablished with different schools moving around. Newtown was included in this shift, and the girls moved from class LL to class L. The shift of classes due to school sizes brings a new opportunity for the Nighthawks. In the past, the team has had to face the powerhouses Glastonbury, Danbury, and other large schools at their state championship.

“It is hard to put an expectation on our season after such a successful indoor season. I would hope that we could put up another good fight for SWC champions,” Coach Becky Bourret said.

Moving down in class size at the state level changes Bourret’s attention and outlook a bit for postseason, the coach said.

With 74 girls on the team, depth is something that Bourret thinks will be a strength for her team this spring.

“We have a ton of motivated individuals. I am hoping to find some depth in the team and some hidden talent,” she said.

Captains this season are Ally McCarthy (distance), Annie Connors (throws), Amelia Daly (sprints and hurdles), Elise Barricelli (sprints), Emily Litke (distance), Jamie Adams (hurdles and jumps), and Kayleigh Troy (hurdles and jumps).

Additional key members of the team are Riley Powers, Hannah Snayd, and Sophia Guevara who, along with McCarthy, were All-New England this winter. Powers returns to running the mile this outdoor season after focusing on sprints last outdoor season. Shayna Millard was the indoor state champ in shot-put and will be an asset to Newtown in the throwing events along with junior Kaelin Rising. Ella Hall will benefit Newtown in the sprinting events, and freshman Lola Kessler has high hopes in pole vault after performing well in her first season vaulting this winter.

The girls’ season will begin on April 18 at Bethel High School against Bethel and Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport.