Coming off a spring season in which only nine points separated third-place Newtown from first-place New Milford and given what she has seen from her group this preseason, Becky Osborne, coach of Newtown High School boys' track and field team, is optimistic this can be a potentially great year.

"I'm really psyched. We're primed to have a really successful year. It's up to them how hard they want to work; they'll reap the benefits of their hard work," Osborne said. "I'm really excited because this year our strengths are really spread out."

Among the graduates who leave big shoes to fill is state runner-up shot-put competitor and New England championship qualifier Jack Godfrey.

Captains are Christian Lestik (distance runner), Rory Edwards (pole vault and decathlon), Zach Crebbin (jumps), Ryan Williams (throws), Grant Moxham (sprints and mid-distance), Joel Duval (distance), and Brett Deri (mid-distance and hurdles).

Other key team members, Osborne said, are Ryan Escoda (distance), Yanni Kousidis (throws), Todd Perrin (sprints and jumps), Connor Marlin (sprints), Nick Jacobs (distance), Tristan Andrew (jumps and sprints), and Tom Shkreli (sprints).

"We have some really strong kids this year," Osborne said.

Strong tests should come from New Milford, Masuk of Monroe (runner-up in the SWC last year), and Weston, Osborne anticipates.

Osborne wants her athletes to be the best they can be, but is hopeful her squad can overtake the rest of the field in the SWC this spring.

"You don't coach to come in third - you coach to win," said Osborne, noting that there is much more to it. "Overall, besides the victories, it's to foster a positive environment, to get these athletes to work hard, and hopefully a championship comes out of it."

"I'm really excited to see what we have this season. They're all motivated; they've got to want it," Osborne said.

Osborne and returning Assistant Coach Kevin Hoyt are joined by a new assistant, former Shelton High track and field competitor Megan Carroll, who is a teacher at NHS.

Newtown's first meet of the season is set for Tuesday, April 10, when Pomperaug of Southbury, Notre Dame-Fairfield, and New Fairfield visit at 4 pm.