The gymnastics competition season is finally here, and members of the defending South-West Conference champion Newtown High School team are ready for their meets — in more ways than one.

Newtown High School's boys' basketball team has had some early-season challenges in the form of more than just tough competition, facing a pair of solid nonconference opponents in its first two games.

Coming off a pair of home victories, Newtown High School's girls' basketball team continued its winning ways in a 65-50 triumph over host Mansfield, Mass. in the opener of Mansfield's holiday tournament, on December 27.

It was quite an impressive fall for Newtown's Catherine O'Connor, who competed in the USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Cross Country Nationals, the highest level for youth cross country, in Madison, Wisc. in late December. O'Connor placed 30th among 317 finishers in the 11-12 age group of the 3K race in a time of 11:32.8.

Championships were the theme for the 2019 calendar sports year. Of course, the past 12 months featured plenty of other success stories, including record-setting efforts.

The QB, receivers, running backs (those most directly responsible for scoring touchdowns) — even defensive players when they make an interception or come up with a crucial QB sack — get a bulk of the recognition for their efforts during a football season.

Winning the Class LL state championship was quite an experience for members of Newtown High School’s football team, but the excitement continued for nearly a week following the team’s wild 13-7 win over Darien on December 14.

Newtown High School's wrestling team defeated visiting Brookfield 42-32 in the the season-opening match, on December 19.

Newtown High School's boys' basketball team overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat host Crosby of Waterbury 79-74 in the season opener, on December 21.

The ultimate goal to end the season is to raise a state championship banner. They say to be the best you've got to beat the best and Newtown High School's girls' basketball team certainly has made its presence felt from the get-go. The Nighthawks began their season by defeating two of last year's state champions: Class M winner Cromwell 54-46 on December 16, and Class LL champ Norwalk 40-25 two nights later, in the home opener.