The Hamilton track and field team is gearing up for its season and has demonstrated great potential for success on both the men’s and women’s side. On the men’s side, members of the graduating Class of 2017 combined for over 100 points scored throughout their senior season, leaving big shoes for returning members and incoming first-years to fill. Fortunately, the first few practices of the year — despite multiple members of men’s cross country still competing in the fall — have indicated that everyone has positioned themselves nicely to build on a stellar 2016–2017 season. Seniors Tom Bisko ’18, Justin Dillane ’18, and Eli Saucier ’18 will anchor a sprint squad that is returning most of its relay core and individual performers who are hungry for new personal and school records.
Saucier alone will be an indomitable force indoors. Last season, he dominated the 60 meter, 200 meter, and 400 meter dash — tying the school indoor record for the 60 meter dash. There is no indication that he will slow down. When asked about his goals for the 2017–18 season, Saucier mused on his personal goals, and those he’s set for his teammates. “I’m expecting great things this season. I expect to pick up where I left off during outdoor and try to work my way up to the podium at nationals. That’s my ultimate goal, but I also have goals to break the indoor sprinting records along the way. As far as the team goes, I think this could be one of the best teams here in the past few years. Most of the team is returning and those who ran cross country have really stepped up. I’m expecting that we give great showings at championship meets, better than those in past years. ”
The men’s distance squad is coming off a strong cross country season where veterans Peter DeWeirdt ’18 and Henry Whipple ’18 consistently churned out stellar performances supplemented by promising turns from various underclassmen. At Regionals, the top three Continental finishers were as follows: DeWeirdt at 24th overall, followed by Whipple at 38th, and first-year Lucas Wright ’21 at 54th. These three gentlemen will look to take advantage of the shorter indoor season to propel the distance group to new heights. As Colin Horgan ’19, a member of the distance team notes, “With a larger distance team than in recent years and a good amount of talent, we’re excited to train as a team and try to beat times from last year. There’ll be guys chasing school records as well, so it’ll definitely be a lot of fun watching them go after it. Cross country was a lot of fun, and we’re looking to ride that high into the winter.” Rounding out some of the top distance runners are Eric Wohl ’18, Reilly Shew ’19, Horgan, and Jake Colangelo ’20. Jumper Preston DeLaurentis ’18, and throwers Patrick Malin ’18 and Ty Kunzman ’20 will lead the way for the Continentals in the field events.
The women’s team is looking as equally talented and motivated as their male counterparts with many returners looking to achieve loftier goals, and new first-years eager to make a mark on the program. The sprinters are looking to follow up a strong 2016–2017 season that saw three school records fall, and a staggering number of personal records achieved. Leading the onslaught of sprinters is Cat Berry ’19. After coming off one of the fastest seasons by a Continental ever, Berry had this to say about her expectations for 2017–18 competition, “I’m excited to get the indoor season started, especially with the new sprinters we have I’m sure they are going to be a huge asset to our relays as well as individual events. We also have more women in all areas of field events, so overall I think we are going into the track season with a strong foundation. Personally, I hope to drop time in indoor events from last year, especially in the 400, and get ready for outdoor season!”
As Berry noted, the Continentals women’s field events will be in capable hands, helped by Leigh Gelotte ’19 and Emily Steates ’19, a high jumper and long jumper, respectively. Both ladies are in the top ten of their respective record boards and are looking to move into the top five this season. Upon considering the upcoming slate of competition, Steates remarked, “We have quite a few new field event athletes, including three new pole vaulters, and they’ll add a lot of depth to the team. I’m very excited to see what this season will bring!”
The women’s distance team is extremely deep and loaded with talent. According to Hanna Jerome ’18 — who, along with her teammate Grace Heller ’19, qualified for Nationals in cross country this past weekend — Hamilton’s distance squad consists of old and new faces ready to work hard and reach new heights. Jerome noted, “With several new runners to the team, I would not put it past this group of girls to set school relay records as well as personal bests. First-year Brigit Humphreys ’21 comes into the season with impressive high school mid-distance times and (Heller) looks very promising in long distance events.” With veterans furthering their success and first-years bringing new energy, there are many reasons for excitement surrounding the upcoming season on the women’s team.
Outside of impending individual and team success, the 2017–18 track season will be an intriguing one due to a few rule and venue changes. Typically, the Continentals travel to the state tournament at the conclusion of the indoor and outdoor season; however, starting this year, there is no more state-wide meet. As a result, the Continentals have added a trip to the recently erected Middlebury athletic facility to cap off their indoor season. Undoubtedly, this expanded competition will only bring out the best in Hamilton’s track and field program.
