One of the hardest parts about being on the Woodland Boy’s Track and Field team is good talent leaving and building new, incoming talents to keep a strong presence in the NVL. The season has just begun so the team is just starting to rebuild. The coaches, especially Boy’s Track Head Coach, Tim Shea knows that the ability to rebuild their team year after year this comes from high-set expectations and hard work.

“We have certain expectations and standards in our track program,” said Shea.

Shea has been a constant presence on the team since 2005, much like Jeff Lownds, Girls’ Track Head Coach. They both play a major role in the strength of the team. Another strong presence comes from Adam Schultz, a coach who has run jumping and hurdle events since joining the team in 2006.

But the team has a new coach as well. Courtney Ambrose, history teacher who just began her career at Woodland this year, will take over coaching for all throwing events.

As for last year, the team had a strong record, 15-1, even though the team lost for the first time in three years. The team also won the NVL division and place third and The NVL meet. Some of the boys who led to the division win were Tom Bethin, Jeff Moffat, Dean Conway and James Yacavone, who all went all- for the 4×400 relay. Three out of the four boys in the 4×400 relay graduated for Woodland and the other moved away. Therefore, the 4×4 has a new team running this year.  

Two other seniors from 2015 went all-NVL, Pat Hale and Drew Chura for pole vault. Lastly, Sean McAllen who is generally known for his success in football, went all NVL for Javelin. Despite losing many athletes, the coaches aren’t  worried.

“Every year is different with the senior’s leaving. The senior’s from 2016 wait for their turn,” said Shea.

There are many seniors that are looking to excel this year. In long distance, the team will expect a lot out of Jeff Giusto and Brian Sardinskas. In sprinting and jumps, Colton Cronin and Tyler Collodel are expected to succeed. In throwing, Sean McAllen and Matt Hopkinson are strong seniors this year. Along with upperclassmen, there are also some underclassmen looking to extel. These athletes are Tom Smith, who won two indoor events and holds an indoor record, and Sean Mardin in spriting and jumps, as well as Ben Nuss.

The Boy’s team just finished up a great indoor season and hopes to progress throughout the outdoor season.

Shea said, “We want to continue the success we had in indoor track.”

The goals for the season are to put as many people in the state meet, win the division and win the NVL tournament meet.

The team is set to start the season against the Kaynor and Bullard team at home on April 5th.