Nashua South's Paul Marchand is ready for a fine indoor season.

By HECTOR LONGO

Staff Writer

If there was any doubt how valued the winter track seen is by the area’s track athletes, it was washed away on Super Bowl Sunday last February.

The Bishop Guertin girls, all 10 of them, put together the performance of a lifetime in winning their state Division I

championship.

Anticipation and high hopes again permeate the region as competition on the statewide basis opens over the weekend.

Just how far can the dominant distance duo of Caroline Fischer and Caroline Towle take the defending champ Cardinals this time around?

Leapers Grace Jones and Chloe Tardif could also play major roles this winter.

Numbers are again strong for the girls programs at Nashua North and Nashua South.

“We’re expecting to have a great high jump crew this season with Abby Coy, Chantal Finlay and Olivia Mazerolle leading the way,” said Nashua North coach Renee Archer. “Coy and Adaobieze Nwankwo will see success this winter in long jump as well as in their events on the track individually with both also likely providing strong support to the sprint relays. “We’re excited to have two throwers from our outdoor roster, Victoria Conrad and Aliana Mercado, join us this winter. They will certainly have strong showings in the circle this season.”

Nashua South was fourth in Division I and could certainly again figure in the mix.

“This season will be a true test for our veterans. Many of these girls have seen multiple second place finishes and return in the best shape of their careers,” said Panthers coach Catrina Lougee. “Their leadership will be needed to integrate our experienced freshmen into the roles left void from our large graduating class last spring.

“If we can accomplish this goal we can return to the top again this winter.”

Merrimack High has proven veterans in sprinters Johanna Koroma and Mary Vance, plus middle distance standouts like Melanie Hutchinson and Adele Alexander.

“We have a few strong athletes and hopefully a couple of the newcomers that will be competitive at the division level and beyond,” said Tomahawks coach Shawn Croteau.

The Milford girls took third a year ago and defending long jump state champ, Renee Wilson, returns for her junior campaign. She’s joined by shot-putter Robyn Krafft, who was third indoors and outdoors in the state, and also captured the state discus title in the spring.

New coach Jack Nichols inherits a solid distance crew as well.

Sophomore Amy Pattelena, a distance specialist, could be the best hope for points at Hollis Brookline.

On the local boys track scene, it could be one of those years that features individual standouts.

Folks who caught Rory Curran’s courageous performance last year, winning the 3000 and taking third in the 1500, know how dangerous the Nashua North senior can be on the boards.

Teammate Yassine Jakib is a middle distance veteran with plenty of back class.

Explosive leaper Paul Marchand heads up the Nashua South contingent. Marchand was second indoors in the long jump then went on to take the Division I title outdoors.

Bishop Guertin leapers Ethan Holt and Jacob Pacheco again lead the Cardinals.

Merrimack has a couple solid distance guys in Eli Demeo and Andrew Peyton, while Zach Twardosky, part of the dynamic Tomahawks’ 4×100 state title team, and Jon Paulhamus will be the leaders among the sprint set.

In Division II, Milford’s Caleb Korthals and Souhegan’s Thomas Headington will be among the top runners in the distance ranks statewide.

With 11 boys, Hollis Brookline could show off its muscle at the top.

Sprinter JJ Kennedy is back after qualifying for New Englands in the long jump last spring. Chase Adams is another Cavalier speedster, focusing in on the hurdles.

Newsletter