Given the success of last year's spring outdoor track and field season, along with the accomplishments of this past winter campaign's indoor slate, hopes are high for winning ways this spring.

"I think we have a really good shot in the league this year," Newtown Coach Becky Osborne said of her team's potential in the South-West Conference championships.

The Nighthawks were second to Masuk of Monroe in last spring's SWC finals, and the indoor squad placed fifth but might have had a top-three result if not for a disqualification during a relay race.

Osborne is new to this team, succeeding Tom Brant, but familiar to the group, having coached many of the competitors during the indoor season. A former NHS standout herself, Osborne was a record-setter in throwing events at Newtown High during her competition days, and still holds the shot-put mark.

The Nighthawks are led by captains: sprinters Cormac Roe, Jack Lavelle, and Kevin Arther, distance runner Brenden Reeds, middle-distance runner/pole vaulter Dylan Lew, and thrower Jack Godfrey, who was the shot-put champion during the indoor season, and captured the shot-put and discus championships last spring.

Distance runner Joel Duval, mid-distance runner Todd Perrin, and sprinter/hurdler Brett Deri are also among the top participants whom Osborne will look to for points in meets.

Osborne expects good things from her runners, and is enthusiastic about what the other participants will bring to the table.

"I'm excited to see what our field events are going to do. I think we have a lot of potential in our throws and our jumps," the coach said.

The first meet of the season is set for Wednesday, April 19, when New Fairfield and Joel Barlow of Redding come to Blue & Gold Stadium for a 3:45 pm competition.