By Kim J. Harmon

W

hen Marsha Caine talks about the prospects for the 2001 girls’ track season, she doesn’t have to dance around the fact that the best sprinter in Newtown High School history – Janelle Tracy – is no longer there burning up the 100-meter dash in 12.1 seconds.

That’s because Tracy – a champion many, many times over – left a team that has remained otherwise intact and, in fact, is now much bigger and deeper than it has been in years.

“Just about everyone has come back and is ready to run,” said coach Caine, who will lead the Nighthawks into their first meet on Tuesday. “The team has about doubled in size, so now I have flexibility and don’t have to rely on a small group of girls.”

Yes, Tracy may be gone but girls like Caitlyn Elf (sophomore), Allison Frobey (sophomore), Cara DelVecchio (junior), and Whitney Blanchard (junior) are back. Elf is the current 400-meter record holder and an important leg on two wicked relay teams (4x100 and 4x400) that includes Frobey and DelVecchio. Blanchard, meanwhile, is the leader of an improving group of throwers.

Those five girls were the primary reason the Nighthawks finished third last year at the South-West Conference championships and just a few points out of second place.

“We took just five girls to the SWCs last year and finished third,” coach Caine remembered. “That’s just amazing to me.”

Other than searching for another leg in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays, the ‘Hawks still seem very solid there. And Blanchard is coming off a nice indoor track season in an area where the ‘Hawks hope to see vast improvement.

“The throwing events are getting stronger,” said coach Caine. “Whitney has been doing well since indoor track and coach (Steve) George has been doing a fantastic job with all of our throwers.”

Now while Elf, Frobey, and tri-captains DelVecchio, Blanchard and Jessica Snow (senior) may be the core, surrounding them is a large group of some pretty good athletes. That group includes seniors Margaret Ashey, Caitlin Decosta, Heather Gibbons, Erin Kostecki, Sarah Letson, and Lauren Carbonell.

Juniors are Roxanne DeCosa, Shannon Kohn, Melanie Murphy, Brittany Rayzor, Jen Russell, and Kate Whelan. Sophomores include Health Balmforth, Amanda Bloom, Erica Carino, Monica Cluff, Jayme Crane, Jean Marie Dahlgard, Megan Ignatius, Ashley Klabonski, Katie Lahey, Erica Locke, Sarah MacKnight, Erin Saunders, Kim Short, Allison Smith, Courtney Smith, Michelle Souza, Elana Tenenbaum, Kristine Vichiola, Lara Wallmark, Renee Whippie, Jess Friedman, and Eileen Honan.

And the freshmen include Carolyn Brennan, Lynn Cupero, Shanah Fahey, Allie Klein, Amanda Lockwood, Michelle Matschke, Kaitlyn Murphy, Kasia Orzechowski, Margaret Randall, Laura Reid, Katie Fuller, Amy Doyle, Megan Bombero, Amanda Hadgraft, Kristin Whipperman, Kelly O’Dell, Danielle Alpert and Katie McCann.

“We have, again, a young team – mostly sophomores,” said coach Caine, “but right now they are all very motivated.”

And led by a strong coaching tandem. With coach Caine at the head and coach George molding the throwers, physics teacher Kim Sinusas (who helped bring over a few players from the field hockey team, which is her fall gig) is teaching the physics of high jumping to the Nighthawks’ group of leapers.

The pieces are in place.

Everything seems to be set.

“I think this team can be better than third,” said coach Caine.

The Nighthawks open the season on Tuesday, April 10, against New Milford, Weston and Joel Barlow and opponents like those will give the ‘Hawks a pretty clear view – right away – of where they stand.

“Over the past few years,” said coach Caine, “we’ve had a tough time against schools like Barlow and Masuk. We’d like to get a good jump on them this season.”

And in four days, they can.

SCHEDULE

 

Tuesday, April 10 – versus New Milford, Joel Barlow and Weston, 3:45 pm; Tuesday, April 24 – at Brookfield, Masuk and New Fairfield, 3:45 pm.

Tuesday, May 1 – at Bunnell, Lauralton Hall and Foran, 3:45 pm; Tuesday, May 8 – versus Bethel, Immaculate and Stratford, 3:45 pm; Tuesday, May 15 – versus Notre Dame, Jonathan Law and Pomperaug, 3:45 pm.

Tuesday, May 22 - at South-West Conference championship (Jonathan Law), 4:30 pm.