Becky Knapp takes over head coaching duties for Newtown High School’s indoor track and field team this winter.

Knapp, who was an assistant coach with the South-West Conference champion girls’ soccer team this fall, is looking to continue the success of the track program, which is both striving to stay at the top and also take care of some unfinished business from a year ago at the same time.

Newtown won the South-West Conference spring outdoor track and field title, and the Nighthawks, last winter, narrowly fell to Weston in the indoor championship.

“It’s fresh in their heads, losing to Weston by five,” said Knapp, adding that the returning Hawks are hoping to find a way to get enough points for the title this time around.

The mentality this year is not just for individuals to succeed and make the team better, but for those athletes to assist teammates to excel along with them — those making the team as strong as possible.

“Who can you get to qualify with you?” is the challenge Knapp has given to her postseason qualifying hopefuls, adding that she wants to see the Hawks push and assist each other to succeed. “Yes, track is an individual sport, but you win with team points.”

Knapp competed in track and field and played soccer at Naugatuck High and ran cross country as well as indoor and outdoor track at Eastern Connecticut State University, then coached track for two years at Stratford High.

Captains are Sarah Tressler (jumps), Claire Dubois (distance), Annika Brady (throws), and Carly Swierbut (sprints).

The Hawks, who placed eighth in last year’s Class LL indoor championships, lost several strong competitors, particularly in throwing events, to graduation but bring back a strong core of postseason point-getters. Key returnees include Emily Tressler (distance), Brianna Lovely (sprints), and Lu Hage (distance). Knapp adds that there is a large group of underclassmen who will help the Hawks.

Ally McCarthy is a freshman to watch. After soccer season, she ran a cross country race with her club team and qualified for junior Olympic national meet in Reno, Nevada this past weekend. She competed in the 4000 meter race and finished among the top 200 runners.

After competing in invitationals and qualifying meets, the Hawks put it all on the line in the SWC championships on Saturday, February 2 at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven.