The season’s first track meet — against 10 other local high schools — will be held on Feb. 17 at Astronaut High School starting at 4:30 p.m.

“Being a distance runner, I plan on mainly focusing on the 1,600 meters event and [junior] Luke Redito will be competing mostly in the 3,200 meters,” said junior Jacob Smithe, the team’s top distance runner. “However, we do plan on alternating between the two events with less competitive meets. [Senior] Kate Crowley and [junior] Sarah Day also intend to try the same technique for racing on the distance side of the team.”

The coaches note  there are several standouts on the team for each event based on their performance at practices. For throwing, Joel Wadzinski is predicted to be a major attribute. Rayme Persad for sprinting, Nathaniel Curtis for hurdles and long jump and Smithe,  Redito,  Crowley and Day for distance running are planning to lead the team to success this season.

“Even though we don’t have much of a team this season, with only about 25 athletes, we do have plenty of very dedicated athletes that are likely to succeed individually,” junior Lee Maki said. “I hope that their positive attitudes and determination motivates the rest of the team.”