Newtown High School’s winter indoor track teams are training as best they can to prepare for the possibility of competitions late in the campaign or when the anticipated spring outdoor season commences.

Meets are on hold for now due to coronavirus restrictions on the numbers of people in venues, but the possibility of competitions will be explored by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference in March.

Laura McLean steps up as interim coach of the girls’ squad this modified season, and Kathy Davey will fill the assistant role.

Newtown’s team has group leaders divided by events: Sarah Nowacki (throwers); Maddie Fetchick (distance/mid distance runners); Arden Hildenbrand (hurdlers); Amelia Daly (jumpers); Emily Tressler, Courtney Henchcliffe, Ally McCarthy (distance/mid distance); and Elise Barricelli (sprinters).

“Every member of our team is key. We are a family and will remain so regardless of the challenges we are facing,” McLean said.

On the boys’ side, Coach Becky Osborne has a trio of captains among a group of senior leaders.

“We are being led not only by our three captains, Hampton Cobb, Drew Poseno and Grant Baker, but also our awesome group of enthusiastic seniors, Ethan Appiah, Matt Sortino, Aiden Hall, Zach Majeski, and newcomer Grayson DeFelice,” Osborne said.

The coaches and athletes are looking to make the most of the makeshift campaign.

“This season is not about winning or losing. It is about connecting, staying safe and healthy, training, and being ready for the outdoor season,” McLean said. “Coming off an almost three-month hiatus from sport, the student-athletes are not ready to be competing. I am just happy to have them training again in any capacity.”

“We are using this season not only as a training for those who do outdoor, but also as a chance to be together with our friends and do something that is good for our bodies and our minds. It is a very strange feeling to not have meets to work toward right now, but the team has a great attitude and we are really excited to be able to be together in their uncertain times,” Osborne said.

“My ultimate goal is to have the student-athletes ready to go full tilt for the spring season. If we get some kind of competitive event during this winter season, it is still for training purposes in my mind. Safety is on the top of my priority list, and at this time I would not be comfortable competing at an indoor track event,” McLean added.

The athletes enjoy combining workouts with some fun activities during laidback Friday practices. McLean said the team members have been great about training in masks and added that while masks are not ideal for working out, safety is the first priority. The teams are training inside the school and outdoors as weather permits.

“NYA has been gracious enough to allow us once a week in their facility, and we are also getting the opportunity once a week to train at Bethel’s indoor facility,” McLean said of NYA Sports & Fitness and Bethel High School’s new complex.

Osborne notes that the coaches are doing their best for the student-athletes who need them.

“My heart just breaks for these kids who are losing their normal senior stuff. As a coach you don’t know what to say, because there is nothing you can do to make it better. We have such a great group of boys, it just isn’t fair, but we all need to stay safe and healthy, too. That’s the most important part,” Osborne said.