After a close loss at the New England Championship last season, Andover Indoor Track returns this year with high expectations for a shot at the championship. Although both the Boys and Girls teams found victory at NEPSTA Regionals last season, both look forward to improvement. Boys Captain James Lim ’12 said, “I believe the team is ready to prove its strength yet again and aim for an undefeated year. It should be a great season for everyone.” Lim has many reasons to be excited, particularly considering Andover’s consistent production of young and experienced talent, a great formula for success. “Our wide range of talent will differentiate us from our opponents,” Lim said. “This year, we have yet another team that exhibits great coverage in every event from the 50 yard to the 2 mile and from the shot put to the pole vault.” Girls Captain Shannon Adams ’12 said that a central goal is to seek revenge against Exeter after a disappointing loss to its rival last year. “Our goal is to go undefeated, including [beating] our archival Exeter in both the JV and Varsity contests, to finish the season with a bang,” she said. However, both squads will need to work hard to fill holes left behind by graduated Seniors from last year. Lim said, “At this point the difficulty will just be how to replace the leadership that left. Overall, we’re pretty confident.” Michael Garai ’13, a returning sprinter, said, “We have a lot of young talent that should improve, and I’ve already seen some impressive new athletes.” For all members of the team, effective training and chemistry in practice will be central to the team’s success. Lim said, “Shannon [Adams] and I hope to emphasize the team aspect of the track experience so that the team builds strong camaraderie and supports each other on and off the track. During the meets, I would like to see every athlete stay focused and put his or her best effort into every event.” Demetri Papageorgiou ’13 said, “No matter the location, Andover Track is easily recognizable from the competitiveness, spirit and sportsmanship it exhibits both on race day and in practice. The track and field juggernaut that is Andover has always been respected and revered by our opponents, and we will yet again be a force to be reckoned with in 2012.” Andover begins the season at home on January 11 with a contest against Wilbraham.
