A mixture of old and new talent has the Newtown High School boys’ track and field team excited for a fun season in which they are eager to see what they can accomplish.

The 4x800 meter relay that broke the school record and went to nationals this past indoor season is returning three of its four members: Aidan Budge, Camron Whorf, and Soheib Dissa. The relay is hoping to find success during the outdoor season as well.

“It’s going to be a great outdoor season. There are a lot of guys that I know are going to do well, and as a team, we hope that we can all do our best. We are excited to get the season started and to make it as far as possible,” Budge said.

Additionally, Caleb Smith and Brock Dukate will be tough competitors across many events as they will be training for the decathlon this spring. The decathlon comprises ten events: 100 meter dash, 400 meter dash, 1500 meter run, 110 meter hurdles, shot-put, discus, javelin, high jump, long jump, and pole vault. These athletes have to budget their time at their practices and regular season meets — where athletes may only compete in four events — to cater to training for all of these events.

Kevin Murray will also be a big contributor to the boys’ team. He placed third in the shot-put at the South-West Conference championships this past winter indoor season, and will be an asset in all three of the outdoor throwing events as well as hurdles.

Returning sprinter Bryan Reyes will be a contributor to the team in the sprints events and relays as well.

“We are really excited about this season. We have a really nice mix of returning athletes and new talent. It’s going to be really fun to see how the season turns out,” Head Coach Becky Osborne said.

Osborne wants the boys to achieve their individual goals as that will help them be successful as a whole.

“This team is working hard and starting to gel. It is going to take hard work and dedication from everyone on the squad to achieve their goals,” Osborne said.

The boys’ season will begin on April 19 when the Hawks host Bethel and Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport at Blue & Gold Stadium.