Newtown High School’s girls’ and boys’ indoor track and field teams will compete in the South-West Conference championship meet at Floyd Little Athletic Center on Saturday, February 2, beginning at 5 pm. Both squads head into the postseason with many athletes ready to run, jump, and throw for points as the Nighthawks take on their rivals.

The boys, coached by Becky Osborne, have 30 individuals and three relays who qualified for SWCs. There were eight new qualifiers in the most recent SWC Developmental meet.

Neil Coppola, Will Hornby, and Conor Breslin finished in the top 11 in the 55-meter dash. Ben Albee had a season PR in the 300 with a time of 39.83, finishing 13th overall. Justin Halmose ended up second in the 3200. Thomas Hartley was third in the 55 hurdles. Griffin Estes and Tristan Andrew tied for fifth in the high jump.

Aiden Jasinski tied for first in the pole vault. Grant Baker finished sixth in the shot-put with a season PR throw 37-4.

“Very excited to see what the postseason holds for us. Weston is going to be the team to beat. I am hoping that we have a good showing and that the team steps up to their full potential. We will see where we end up,” Osborne said.

The girls are led by Coach Becky Knapp, who considers this a successful season and looks forward to it continuing in the postseason.

“There were plenty of growing pains but overall successful, even without looking at how the SWC tournament will play out. I am excited to see how these girls continue to improve,” said Knapp, adding that some of the team members have been dropping time consistently and peaking at the right time.

The excitement and the hype of SWC brings out all different types of emotions and competition, Knapp said. “My job as the coach at this point in the season is just to encourage and be there for these girls, no matter the outcome. It is now time to worry about being strategic and smart about how we compete at the tournament,” she added.

Newtown qualified 25 girls for the SWC tournament. A dozen team members have qualified individually for the Class LL state championship, and all four relays have also qualified for the state tournament. Many of the qualifiers did so in multiple events. Here is a rundown of those who will represent the Nighthawks in the SWC championships:

Carly Swierbut, 55/300; Elise Barricelli, 55/300; Brianna Lovely, 55; Audrey Benson, 55/55 hurdles/long jump; Katie Ryan, 55/pole vault/long jump; Sarah Holcomb, 55; Vicky Moran, 55; Laura Wong, 55/300; Leola Ambli, 55; Ally McCarthy, 600/3200; Sophia Guevara, 600; Maddy Fetchick, 600; Ally Toth, 600; Ella Hage, 1000; Courtney Henchcliffe, 1600; Gloria Rowley, 1600; Olivia Hage, 3200; Emily Tressler, 3200; Hallie Filan, 3200; Mia Arcario, high jump; Sarah Tressler, high jump/long jump; Julianna Stavola, high jump/shot-put; Iva Dukate, high jump; Morgan Seras, pole vault; Anna Burns, shot-put; 4x800, McCarthy, L. Hage, Emily Tressler, Guevara; 4x200 swierbut, Lovely, Moran, Amelia Daly; sprint medley relay Lovely, Moran, Barricelli, Guevara; 4x400, Wong, Katie Rowen, Fetchick, Daly.

Girls who stood out and narrowly missed qualifying for the SWC meet: Junior Mary Sortino ran PR in the 600 with a time of 1:55.19, missing the qualifying time of 1:54.24. Freshman Katie Rowen also missed by seconds in the 600 with a PR of 1:57.15. Rowen also came close with a 48.06 in the 300 meters. Freshman Amelia Dal ran the 300 in a time of 49.53. Senior captain Claire Dubois and freshman Chloe Karnas missed the 1000 qualifying times by 5 seconds or less, both running personal bests (Dubois 3:38.14) (Jarnas 3:36.38). The shot-put mark of 27 was just barely missed by senior captain Annika Brady, who threw a PR 25-1 and Junior Lily Katherine Beasley who threw 25-4 this season.

“It’s very encouraging as a coach to say that it is easier to say who did not PR this season rather than who did,” said Knapp, adding that almost everyone on both the varsity and JV squads earned a personal record time in one or more events.

PRs: Victoria Moran 55 in 8.09, Sarah Holcomb 55 in 8.17 and 300 in 50.63, Olivia Hage 1600 in 5:42.52, Maddie Fetchick 600 in 1:53.47 and 1000 in 3:38.65, Laura Wong 55 in 8.23 and 300 in 46.26, Katie Ryan long jump 15-9, Sarah Tressler long jump 15-2.25, Emily Tressler 1600 in 5:35.89, Courtney Henchcliffe 3200 in 12:51.66, Brianna Lovely 55 in 7.75, Audrey Benson 55 hurdles in 9.57 and long jump 13-9, Anna Burns shot-put 28-9.