Off And Running ... New Attitude In Place For This Year’s Indoor Track Team

By Andy Hutchison

The theme surrounding the Newtown High School’s boys’ and girls’ indoor track teams at the start of the season is one of seriousness and having a new attitude. Sure, the competitors should have fun, but Coach Dave Foss is instilling a new attitude with hopes for improved success. Part of the new approach of getting the students to take indoor track more seriously than they may have in the past is made possible by the opening of the new Newtown Youth Academy, which provides a legitimate indoor practice facility for the runners for the first time.

“I’m very excited to have the NYA this year. It’s had a tremendous impact on our team already this year,” Foss said during a preseason practice late last week.

In the past, not unlike at many schools, Newtown has had to practice outside as weather has allowed, and set up hurdles inside the school and juggle gymnasium space with basketball teams. The runners would use the parking space lines for approximate relay zones. “We’ve had to be pretty creative in the past,” Foss said.

Now, although the teams do make due with the school resources a few days each week, and they still have no indoor long jump pit, they are able to take advantage of the NYA’s track a couple times each week, providing an opportunity to set up hurdles at the proper space increments and appropriately measure relay run distances, for example. “I think it’s going to make it a more serious endeavor,” Foss said.

At The Helm: Foss, who has coached on and off (more frequently on) since 1999, works with Assistant Coach Stephanie Ramsey and Laura McLean who helps out with the shot-putters.

Last Year: The girls placed third in the South-West Conference Championships and 15th at the Class LL State Championships and the boys were ninth in the SWC and 21st in LL.

Shoes To Fill: As always, there are many graduates who open opportunities for up-and-coming team members and newcomers. This year’s squads boast 120-or-so runners, throwers, and jumpers between them.

This Year’s Leaders/Participants To Watch: This year’s squads don’t have captains but, rather, senior leaders for particular events.

Girls: Among the key participants for the girls’ team are the following seniors: Rachel Taback and Erin Fish (shot put), Lauren Sudbey (pole vault and long jump), Emily Korth (pole vault and high jump), Kelley Sullivan (300 meters and relay), Natalie Villa and Alyssa Robinson (both distance runners) ,and Sarah Grose (sprinter).

“I think it can be a good season,” Taback said. “I love indoor season — It’s fun to interact with the boys’ team and with the girls’ team.”

Boys: John Wlasuk (shot put) is a sophomore and one of several young strong throwers on the team. Senior Drew Woods and juniors Erik Hoffman and Matt Bobkowski (all distance runners) are other key boys. The following competitors are all sprinters, some of whom compete in a variety of events: Josh Milas (also hurdles and pole vault), Matt Narcel (jumper), Peter Wlasuk, Kevin Bonacci (jumper), Brian Cawley (hurdles), and David Hutchison.

“We definitely have a lot of good freshmen, so we have the potential to do very well,” John Wlasuk said.

Strengths: Both squads have a fair amount of depth and are off to a positive start with the new practice resources.

Question Marks: A lot of the depth is comprised of new and young high-schoolers. How quickly will they develop and improve? “I think it’s going to be an interesting year because we have a lot of talent in the form of freshmen and sophomores,” Foss said.

Coach’s Goals: To improve on last year’s results and continue to develop as this season unfolds. “I’m hoping for them to be much more competitive than we’ve been in the past in indoor track,” the coach said.

Circle It On The Schedule: The postseason meets are in February. The Weston boys’ and girls’ squads, along with the New Milford boys and Masuk girls, are tough SWC teams.