OA Winter Track Teams Complete Another Impressive Campaign

By the end of January, the Oliver Ames track and field teams had already accomplished their first goal by claiming its second straight Davenport Division championship.

On a mid-February afternoon, the girls' team took another turn towards glory in claiming its first Hockomock Championship since 2008.

The boys, meanwhile, carried their momentum from the dual-meet season with a fifth place finish at the Hock Championships.

Head coach Mike Darling couldn’t have been any more proud of his teams performances.

“I’m very pleased with the year and how our athletes progressed over the course of the season,” he said.

“Winning the Davenport again was a realistic accomplishment on both sides before the season and we were able to do that for the second straight year. The boys had some impressive performances at the Hock Championships and at the states, and winning the Hock was a great accomplishment for the girls. All in all, it was a tremendous season for the program.”

Part of the Tigers' success was contributed to the leadership and dedication of the senior class.

For the boys, Nick Blelloch improved his performance the 55-meter hurdles and finished second in the event during the Hock Championships; distance runners Andrew Kerester, Sean Gorham and Drew Beck earned impressive finishes all year long; Carlton Williamson capped of an impressive sprinting career; and Billy Hamilton put in a tremendous performance in the shotput, finishing third at the Hocks.

For the girls, Michaela Nichols was a league champion, finishing first in the high jump (clearing 5-feet, 2-inches); Kristi Kent improved her times in the 200 and 300 meter events; Kayla McKinzie and Emily Grotz provided a spark on the 4x400 relay team that finished fourth at the Hock Championships; Leanna Altiere and Robin Loewald provided depth in the distance events; and Laura Daley capped off her indoor career as one of the greatest female shotput throwers in school history setting a personal best at 37-feet, 7-inches during the year.

“The seniors – on both sides – have been a tremendous part in the growth of the program during the last four years,” Darling said about the class of 2012. “They have been part of a championship program and through their contributions and leadership have taken the program to the next step. It was a great way for them to end their indoor careers at Oliver Ames.”

As impressive as the senior class was, the future still looks very bright for Darling and company thanks to the group of freshmen.

Beja Osborne was a pivotal runner for the 4x400 team in its fourth place finish at the Hock Championships; Olivia Milieka tied Nichols' performance at the Hock Championships (finished second due to a tie-breaker); and Darrah McLaughlin (600-meter), Cameron Gardner (1000-meter), Brandon Boone and Zack Wyman (both 300-meters) impressed in their events.

Three more years of similar performances from the class of 2015 should pave the way for the program's future.

“Our freshman class was outstanding all season long,” Darling said. “This group of athletes have paved the way for the future of the track program.”

About 90 percent of the participants this winter will return for outdoor track according to Darling, who will once again be the girls’ coach this spring. His primary winter assistant, Jake Sunderland will coach the boys again when spring practices begin after St. Patrick’s Day.

There’s no question that expectations are going to be high for the spring, but the Tigers should again be up to the task as the Small Hock favorites.