By Cait Kemp
@caitlinkemp09
This weekend, the indoor track and field teams will make their season debut in their home opener inside the field house. Building off a strong spring season, both the men and women’s teams are looking to have another competitive year, starting first in the winter.
“The team has been working hard to build the base for a championship run at the end of the season. We start with the basics and build from there. We are looking for great performances at the end of the season, not one hit wonders,” said head coach Mike Miller.
The men’s indoor track team finished ninth, tied with WPI, in the New England Division III Championship last February, with seven athletes finishing in the top ten in their events.
Standouts included Luke Chastain (400-meter dash), Colby Wilson (long jump), Joe Wong (1,000-meter run and distance relay) and John DeRosa (3,000-meter and 5,000-meter), who are all returning this season, and are looking to build off their past success.
Rece Gobel also qualified and competed at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships in the 800-meter run.
“We are returning some great championship-level athletes this year and have brought in first-years that are going to make an impact,” Miller said. “We are excited to see what we can do.”
Junior Bradyn Cote was a part of the distance relay along with Wong, Aidan Harmer and Russell Allen that produced a 12th place finish at the regional championships last spring. He participates in cross country as well, and is coming off a strong season helping the Pride to make the top ten in the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championships.
“The team is looking really good this season. Coming off a good cross-country season for the distance guys, as well as a healthy off-season for the sprinters and throwers, everyone is looking forward to qualifying for the postseason meets and cutting down on their personal bests,” Cote said.
The women’s team also has several key athletes that had successful seasons this past year. Christa Carr placed seventh in the weight throw in the New England Division III Championship. Other top performers included Madelyn Vianney (long jump), Kate Bonanno (mile), and Emily Racana (pole vault). In the spring, the team went on to finish third at the NEWMAC Championship.
“The goal for us is to see individual improvements over the year and see our team high up in the D-III New England regional meet,” Miller said. “We want to see improvements whether it is a small personal record or a returning qualifying for a national championship.”
With many skilled returners and talented first-years making up the rosters of both the men’s and women’s teams, the Pride will look to make a name for themselves this season, hoping to compete at the championship level once again.
Photo Courtesy Springfield College Athletics