OA Winter Track Enters Pivotal Stretch of 2011-12 Season

It’s safe to say that the Oliver Ames winter track programs are meeting expectations once again.

For the second straight season, the Tigers went 4-0 in dual-meet competition and earned another Davenport Division championship.

With the early season success, head coach Mike Darling is optimistic that his teams can keep the momentum rolling starting with the State Coaches Meet this weekend and the Hockomock League Championships in two weeks.

“It’s been a very successful season to date,” Darling said. “For the second straight year the boys and the girls went undefeated and won the Davenport Division and I’m very proud of them for achieving that so far.”

Not only has Darling seen his teams go undefeated, but he has also seen some impressive individual performances along the way.

Twenty-eight members of the team (17 girls, 11 boys) have already qualified for the All-States and that list could grow before the annual event, which takes place at the end of February.

“Right now we have 28 members - 17 boys and 11 girls - that have already qualified for the states and we’re looking for that number to grow,” Darling said. “Our depth has been very impressive all year with many freshmen making an immediate impact and the upperclassmen have been impressive all year with their performances and their leadership for the program.”

That depth has shown with the contributions from the upper and lower classmen, as Darling alluded to.

This year’s senior class has done all that is expected of them up to this point with their performances and leadership That list of performers includes Sean Gorham (1000 meters), Andrew Kerester (distance), Carlton Williamson (sprinting, long jump), Billy Hamilton (shot put), Emily Grotz (1000 meters, 4x800 team), Shannon Hickey (distance, 4x800), Kalya McKinsey (hurdles) and Laura Daley (shotput), just to name a few.

“Our seniors have been in the track circuit for years and that has shown with the leadership they’ve provided and the performances they’ve put together this season,” Darling said. “They’ve been great mentors to our underclassmen this year and they’ve shown great representation for the program in their four years.”

Equally impressive has been the contributions of this year’s freshman class. Basia Osborne qualified for the states with her performances in the 300 and 55 meter races, while Olivia Mileika cleared 5-feet in her first year as a high jumper and Darragh McLaughlin (600), Brandon Boone (300), Zack Wyman (300) and Cameron Gardner (1000) continue to impress in their respective events.

“They’ve stepped up big in their first year,” Darling said about the class of 2015. “Olivia Mileika cleared 5-feet in the high jump and for a freshman that’s a huge achievement, while Basia Osborne qualified for states, and we’ve had some great performances from Darragh McLaughlin, Brandon Boone, Zack Wyman and Cameron Gardner throughout the season.”

Starting with the two-day Coaches Meet Saturday and Sunday, the Tigers enter the pivotal part of their season hoping for even more success. From there the team will compete in the Hock Championships on Feb. 11.

“Right now our goal is to keep everyone healthy. That’s the major concern,” Darling stated. “Having said that, we’re looking forward to the coaches meet this week and the Hock championships in two weeks.”