You almost never know what a spring afternoon will look like. It can be sunny and 50 degrees, or chilly with a whipping wind. For the nearly 200 student-athletes on the girls' and boys’ outdoor track and field teams, Monday’s pre-season practices were cold and cloudy.
The teams have been running at the center track for pre-season workouts this week, in preparation for the first meet on April 5 at 3:30 p.m. The squads each face Woburn High School, with the girls racing at home and the boys on the road.
GIRLS OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD SEASON OUTLOOK
Coach: Josh Herzog, second year
League: Middlesex League
Last Year: 10-0, Middlesex League Champions
Returning Players: A good number of returners, with a larger overall team than last year, Herzog said.
Key to Success: Being prepared while enjoying the meets.
Meets to Watch: Woburn, Winchester, Burlington and Reading.
Coach’s Take: Herzog said he loves coaching and is ready to see what the team can do.
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BOYS OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD SEASON OUTLOOK
Coach: Bill Babcock, 12th year
League: Middlesex League
Last Year: 6-3
Returning Players: There are 70-plus runners on the team, including many returning sophomores who either participated in outdoor track and field last year or ran indoor this past winter. “I’m lucky that key kids that graduated last year, a number of them, the kids are equal to them this year," Babcock said. "We have a lot of young kids.”
Key to Success: Good senior leadership. "One class isn’t weak over the other," Babcock said. "You don’t like to have a class where you have nothing in."
Meets to Watch: Woburn. "They’re very talented," Babcock said. "Also Reading and Winchester."
Coach’s Take: Babcock said the team has depth, and is improving in field events. “I want to see the kids have some success and enjoy themselves and get something out of their hard work," he said. "They put a lot of time and work into their sport, in after school and Saturday practices."
