Led by three senior Captains Malcolm Mason-Rodriguez ’11, Patrick Wolber ’11 and Aniebiet Abasi ’11, Andover Outdoor Track looks forward to defending its championship title this season. Mason-Rodriguez outlined the expectations of the team this year, saying, “This season we hope to continue the winning tradition as well as retain the championship title. Although we have lost several good athletes, we have a lot of new talent that will hopefully fill the void.” Mason-Rodriguez also mentioned how the team planned to repeat as champions, saying, “The team seeks to prepare with the same vehement determination that has made us successful in the previous years.” All three captains are prepared to do what is necessary to lead their team to victory. Abasi feels ready to lead the team to another successful season, as she commented, “I felt as if the team had entrusted me with the role of leading the girls to their 4th straight NEPSTA championship which at the moment seems like a very daunting task. But we have the depth to win again.” Wolber described the mentality of the track team as he said that track is, “A sport in which athletes compete individually,” and that “the pressure can be so great that those with the strongest team, behind motivation with cheers, smiles, laughs, and hugs, will want victory so much more, and will sacrifice so much more.” With Wolber and Rodriguez leading the boys’ team in the distance events and long jump respectively, and Abasi leading the girls’ team in sprints, Andover has talent in every event ranging from the 100 meter sprint to the 400 meter relay and the pole vault to the javelin. Other key competitors this year include Khalil Flemming ’12 in the 100m, Shannon Adams ’12 in the high jump, Alexis Walker ’12 and Becca Wagman ’13 in the 100/200m and Whitney Glick ’11 in the pole vault. Andover will surely put up fierce competition against all competitors this year with a well rounded team. “Every meet is an opportunity to prove ourselves, to humble ourselves, and make of us scarier, toothier, meaner opponents for the future. Every meet is an opportunity to have fun crushing the hopes and dreams of the red uniformed, green uniformed, and non-Andover-True-Blue uniformed runners, throwers, and jumpers,” says Wolber. Andover will open the season against Andover High this Saturday at AHS.
