Girls Track Team Aims For Top-Three Spot In SWC

By Andy Hutchison

Doug Russell, Newtown High School’s girls’ track and field head coach, is hopeful for not only another top-five finish in the South-West Conference, but perhaps a push into the top three after placing fourth a year ago. The Nighthawks will have to overcome the losses of several key contributors (among them Elise DeRoo, Sarah Pollock and Jen Brill) but have a solid group of returnees — and potential for a wealth of new-to-the-team postseason point-getters.

Last spring, the Nighthawks were 11-3 during the regular season, finished fourth in the SWC Championships, seventh in Class LL and eighth in the state open. Russell would like to challenge for the SWC title and have a strong showing in the state meets. The Nighthawks expect strong conference competition from Weston and Bunnell, who placed first and second, respectively, in the SWC championships last season.

This year’s roster includes nearly 100 girls, including an excellent group freshmen, some of whom come to the team with experience from the cross country and indoor track teams, Russell said.

The senior captains are Natalie Villa, Kelley Sullivan, Rachel Taback, Lauren Sudbey, Emily Korth and Sarah Grose.

Returning seniors whom the Nighthawks will look to for points in competitions are Taback (state open discus champion), Sudbey (sixth at the state open in pole vault and a long jumper), Villa (800 meters), Keegan Frobey (high jump), Korth (pole vault, high jump and long jump), Sullivan (400 meters) and Emily Kluga (javelin).

Other key returnees are junior Annika Garrett (high jump and 100 hurdles) and sophomores Anne Martino, Mara Scallon (distance) and Lauren Pettinelli (100 and 300 hurdles).

Newcomers are Erin Begg and Katie Burns, both members of the cross country team, along with Jenny Van Veen, who should bring strength to the distance crew, according to Russell. Also returning to the team this year, after not competing in track a year ago, is senior Monica Warek, a soccer player who will bring strength to the sprinter crew, Russell said.

“I think we’re going to be strong this year,” said Russell, adding that the team has experience in the field and distance events in particular.

“We’ve got a lot of new, young talent and we’ve got a lot of returning talent in the distance area and the field events, hurdles — one of the things that we’re looking for right now is for some new sprinters, and with these young girls we look like we have a lot of good athletes. We’ve had great practices, we’ve had great commitment this year and I’m really excited,” Russell said. “I think we can be in contention for the South-West Conference and do well at the states and state open this year.”

The season gets underway April 14 against Pomperaug, New Fairfield and Bethel at Pomperaug. Newtown’s lone home meet is set for April 28 against Notre Dame-Fairfield, New Milford and Lauralton Hall.