Last year the boys indoor track team ended the season strong placing second in FCIACs and States as well as first in their division.

This year, coach Laddie Lawrence hopes to improve upon that same standard. However, the team lost numerous key players totaling 17 lettermen. Even with these losses there are 25 lettermen returning this year and the team will have their usual turnout of over a 100 runners.

“The number one priority in December is fill the holes by taking the returning athletes as well as the new ones and moving them around in the events,” Lawrence said.

After focusing on the events where players were lost Lawrence hopes to get every player to meet state qualifying standards.

He also feels that the team needs to strengthen the long and high jump events.

There are a total of 15 events this season including four relays, three sprints, three middle/distance running, three jumping, one throwing, and one hurtle. With so many events, the team manages to keep them all balanced with at least a few strong players in each one. Lawrence is extremely excited about the upcoming season because every week is action packed with training all week followed by a competition on the weekend.

“It’s like watching a circus, there’s a lot going on at once,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence is looking forward to working with the five captains Paul Chandler ’10, who is the best pole vaulter in the Eastern U.S.; Jonathan Foster ’10, a great middle and distance runner; Jack Hennessey ’10, a state caliber sprinter; Aaron Kliegman ’10, a high quality sprinter; and Sam Zorfas ’10, one of the top rated middle and distance runner.

“This team has great potential. We are all looking forward to the championship season because we think we can win FCIACs and even States if we all stay healthy,” Zorfas said.

The team is confident as fellow captain Hennessey also expects the team to triumph at both the FCIAC and State championships. Each captain hopes to improve in their own events as well as develop a strong team.

“As a captain I want to grow so that hopefully all of my teammates respect me, follow my lead, and stay focused on our goals. As a runner I want to grow to become more versatile,” Foster said.

Thinking about his new position of captain as well, Chandler said, “I would like to see our team mature and become serious about our goals. I want to help get everyone working hard, and hopefully set that example myself.”

He is excited about the new season and a great team.

“We are coming into this season with a lot of talent. This year, our talent covers a much wider range of events than usual,”

The team has a variety of players, five outstanding captains, and a head coach with 40 seasons of experience under his belt.

“I hope I am still bringing as much enthusiasm to the team as I’ve done for the last 40 years; it’s always an exciting season with traditionally a lot of success,” Lawrence said.