This is Coach Rich Marcello's

first season with Newtown High School's girls' indoor track team, but the coach is striving to build off of the success he has already had with Nighthawks runners, throwers, and jumpers.

"Our goal is to win the league championship. We also have a good enough roster to have our highest place finish at LL's ever and send a large contingent of kids to State Opens, New Englands, and Nationals," said Marcello, who led the girls to the South-West Conference championship during this past spring's outdoor track and field season, his first with the program.

Among the Nighthawks lost to graduation are standouts Makenna Cerney and Erin Tressler, but Newtown has plenty of returning talent.

"I think we have one of the deepest teams in the state, which is important because championships are won and lost via 'garbage points.' Having a lot of athletes that could finish fifth or sixth and scrape together a few unexpected points goes a long way," Marcello said.

"We have to fill out every event and make sure we are contributing points in every event. There is a very slim margin this year and we cannot leave points on the table," the coach added.

This year's captains are Jordon Stofko (hurdles/sprints), Sarah Dowling (jumps/sprints), Sarah Houle (mid-distance), Camille Johnson (distance), Maddie Findley (distance), and Cate Norton (distance).

Carly Swierbut (sprints), Marley Marston (throws), and Sarah Tressler (jumps) are other strong team members.

"Indoor is a grueling season. So mainly I'm hoping to keep everyone healthy and motivated. The results will come," the coach said. "We have to grind. We have to work harder and be smarter than our competitors. We have a lot of work to do this year in order to reach the top of the mountain."

That means dethroning Weston, something the Hawks did in the spring and will look to repeat this winter.

"To be the best, you have to beat the best. Matt Medve's Weston squad is the best. They've won 11 of 12 indoor championships and have only lost two championships in the last 12 years," said Marcello, pointing out that only Immaculate during indoor in 2012, and Newtown this past spring, have overcome Weston. "They always find a way to score big points at SWCs. Immaculate, Pomperaug, and New Milford are also in the mix."

The campaign got underway with the Hillhouse Invite, at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven, this past weekend. The Nighthawks will participate in their first postseason qualifying meet during the final weekend of December. The SWC championships are set for February 3, with the Class LL meet, and State Open on the slate for February 10 and 17 - all at the Floyd Little Athletic Center.

"I'm very excited. This is my first indoor season with the girls and I'm very grateful to be given the opportunity to work with such a great group of athletes," Marcello said.

"Our last track season ended with an SWC championship so we all want to keep that going," the coach added.