A pair of track/soccer standouts from Newtown who were at different times teammates and competitors throughout the years are gearing up to take their running skills to the collegiate level.

Ally McCarthy, a Newtown Bee Newtown High School Athlete of the Year, and Kayla Ondy, who graduated from Immaculate High in Danbury this spring, were both recruited to run track (distance and middle distance) as well as cross country in college — McCarthy at the University of Connecticut and Ondy at Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I.

They will be competing in different conferences, but their sports playing and training paths have crossed a lot.

“Kayla is one of my best friends, and the reason I started running competitively was because we did a 5K for fun together in seventh grade — and afterwards she convinced me to join her running club, Nutmeg Striders,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy and Ondy played soccer together on the AC Connecticut team in the spring and summer; the squad qualified for the National Cup in 2019. They competed against each other in soccer and track during their high school careers.

Ondy was a forward for the Immaculate soccer team, and McCarthy a defender for the Nighthawks. After her freshman season, Ondy switched to cross country in the fall but they played club soccer together in the offseason throughout high school. These athletes have had a unique bond during the winter indoor and spring outdoor track campaigns. Both were a part of their respective 4x800 relay teams that competed in the New England Championships.

“It was definitely weird being on opposing teams in both track and soccer. I was so used to playing with her, so playing against her in soccer was a little nerve-racking especially because our schools have such a rivalry. In the winter and spring, we were able to be super supportive of each other off the track, and when we were racing we would focus on our individual jobs,” McCarthy said.

“Ally was my teammate before she was a competitor. It was weird to see her in a different uniform than me. I’d definitely prefer her be on my team, but it’s fun and strange to compete with someone you train with most of the time,” Ondy said. “We both love to compete so on the track or the field we give it our all for the sake of our team. The second the final whistle blows or we finish the last lap of the race, it’s like no time in our friendship passed. We both understand how hard the other works, so it’s all friendly competition and mutual respect.

“Ally McCarthy is the definition of a true teammate. There is seriously no one I would want on my team more than her. Not only is she a friend, she will squeeze the best out of anyone around her. I truly cherish every moment I have shared with Ally through the years no matter the sport and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Some of the best times of my life have been traveling the country with Ally to play a sport and I’m beyond lucky to also call her my best friend,” Ondy added.

McCarthy and Ondy have trained together a couple times this summer. “Recently we did a run at the Audubon in Southbury where we used to train during the summer for Nutmeg Striders while in middle school. Going back to an old training spot as college commits is crazy and representation of how far we both have come,” said Ondy, adding that they do not train often but when they do it is a great time. “We push each other, which makes her a perfect training partner.”

In her time at Newtown High, McCarthy won state championships in the outdoor 800 meter run and indoor 4x400 meter relay, and was state class champion and State Open champ in the outdoor 4x400 meter relay. She received All Conference and All State recognition and is a national track championship qualifier. She helped the indoor track team to a South-West Conference title in her senior year.

McCarthy is a school record holder in eight events. She also is a SWC meet record holder in the outdoor 4x400 meter relay. During her senior soccer season, McCarthy was named All SWC and All State. She helped her soccer team to SWC titles in 2018 and 2019, and in 2019 she was named the SWC tournament MVP. McCarthy was captain of the indoor and outdoor track squads, as well as the soccer team, her junior and senior years.

Ondy earned All State and All SWC accolades, along with All New England recognition for cross country and track throughout her career. Additionally, Ondy and the 4x800 relay team broke the school records for indoor and outdoor track in her freshman year, and broke the Class S State indoor and outdoor record, outdoor Class S meet record, and SWC indoor record.

As a freshman, Ondy and the 4x800 indoor relay won the Class S, SWC, State Open, and New England titles. The 4x800 relay team also had successful runs in her sophomore and senior years (the impact of the coronavirus altered junior year due to cancellation of championships). The relay won the SWC and Class S titles in Ondy’s sophomore year. Ondy and the 4x800 won the SWC and Class S titles her senior year. Additionally, Ondy was runner-up in the 3200 and third in the 1600 in the SWC meet. The 4x800 outdoor relay took home Class S, SWC, and New England titles her freshman year.

Both athletes will miss their high school playing days but are looking forward to the next chapter in their athletic careers.

“There will definitely be days I miss the high school experience for sports. I’ll definitely miss my teammates and coaches, but I’m super-excited to see what the future holds,” McCarthy said in The Bee’s July 1 article: “Standouts In Their Sports — Ally McCarthy, Caleb Smith Are ‘Newtown Bee’ NHS Athletes Of The Year.”

“I was very lucky to have the best high school teammates and coaches around me, so leaving the people will be extremely hard. I will definitely miss high school sports and all the memories that came along with them,” Ondy said.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.