Despite falling to Exeter at the end of last season, ending with a .500 record and graduating many Senior leaders, Andover Indoor Track is jumping into the winter season with optimism.
Captain John Gorton ’15 is filling big shoes following the graduation of last year’s Co-Captains Jonathan Arone ’14 and Matt Fischetti ’14.
“Fischetti dominated Hurdles and High Jump, and Arone always gave his all in the 50. Filling those spots is going to be challenging, but I have no doubt the team will rise to the occasion,” wrote Christian Cruz ’16 in an email to The Phillipian.
The capable underclassmen will be called upon to carry the team forward this season after the graduation of the former Seniors. Despite the lack of seniority, many returners are confident in the leadership of Gorton, a reliable distance runner who has made large improvements over his four-year Indoor Track career.
Andover’s toughest opponent will once again be Exeter. Despite a season’s worth of training and intense preparations, Andover did not emerge victorious last year. Boys Track is confident in its ability to seek vengeance from its rivals this year.
“Nothing makes me more excited than the prospect of continued growth over a long period of time. I want the athletes on my team to be focused on becoming faster and stronger than they have ever been before,” wrote Gorton in an email to The Phillipian.
Cruz added, “Though it will be difficult, that has only ever made us work harder. Having a tough season ahead of us has never stopped us before.”
Girls Track has similar expectations for the season and the meet against Exeter. Last year Andover defeated Exeter by only a single point with a victory in the 4×400-Meter Relay.
“Every year it is a nail biter, but I am confident we will be able to ‘Wreck the Ex’ again!” said Kinsey Yost ’15.
The 4×400-Meter Relay is one of Girls Track’s greatest strengths. Last year, Yost, former Captain Diana Tchadi ’14, current Captain Charlie Jarvis ’15 and Shanice Pimentel ’14 produced successful results throughout the season.
Tchadi brought a lot of energy to the team as a Captain and a Senior leader. She dominated in the hurdles, another one of Andover’s stronger events. Jarvis, her successor, is Andover’s best runner in the 4×440-Meter Relay.
The team will look to continue its success in the long jump. “In most meets we will sweep the top three ranks,” said Yost.
Girls Track has talent across all events, including the 300- and 50-Yard Dash. Camille Little ’16 is one of Andover’s prominent runners and currently holds the Girls Indoor Class Record for the 50-Yard Dash at 6.52 seconds.
Overall, the team’s new additions are expected to step up to fill the holes that last year’s Seniors left behind.
“There are lots of new faces of determination this season, and we have all been working hard in order to start the season off on a good foot,” said Alana Humes ’15.
Both Girls and Boys Indoor Track will kick start their season with a meet against Governor’s and Wilbraham & Monson Academy on Friday.
