As the 2024 spring season winds down, the Wyvern track and field team end their season very strong at New Englands earning second place in Class B on May 18. The season has been filled with impressive individual feats and outstanding results in the meets prior to New Englands.
Before the season began, the six track and field coaches had high expectations for the team, especially certain individuals. On the boys’ side, sophomores Tyler Brown, Justin Morle, Leo Ladewig, Cameron Thomas, and Tadhg Dillow have all been critical members of the team. Meanwhile, sophomores Samaria Gonzalez and Ella Golino, as well as junior Claire Palmer and senior Ella Sokale have also been key contributors to the girls team this season.
One of the most impressive feats of this season for the Wyverns has been their ability to overcome adversity during practices. Since KO does not have a track on campus, practices involve multiple bus rides and long hours for the members of the team.
“Our practices require lots of discipline and time,” Head Coach Tricia Watson said. “Whether it’s starting at KO or driving to Conard or Sterling, practices can be very long and tiring and the team has done a phenomenal job dealing with this adversity throughout the season.”
Individually, members of the team have worked hard at balancing their difficult schedules throughout the season. Morle, as a sprinter and thrower, has worked hard at maintaining a busy practice schedule. “Throughout the season, I have had to learn how to balance school and track,” Morle said. “The busy schedule has made me mentally but also physically tougher this season.”
Morle’s hard work has really paid off, as seen in his results from the recent Founders League Championships at Westminster. Morle placed first in discus, which is an extremely impressive accomplishment.
Along with Morle, sprinter and jumper Brown has been tremendous on the team this year. Brown has dedicated lots of time and effort to perfecting his form on the long jump, and it seriously paid off when he won the Founders’ League title in this event.
“Winning the long jump was a key goal of mine before the season,” Brown said. “However, I still feel that I can win the 100 and 200 if I run my best time, which I did not do at Founders.”
On the girls side, Watson pointed out Palmer in particular, who has made strides in her accomplishments this season. “I get to coach Claire in cross country too,” Coach Watson said. “She truly has an amazing work ethic, and it shows with her times in the long-distance events in our meets.”
As New Englands approaches, the Wyvern track and field team looks forward to accomplishing new personal bests. Whether it be Morle, Brown, Palmer, or anyone on the team, Coach Watson and the rest of the coaching staff hope that everyone ends the season with their best time, jump or throw. The track team is filled with talented juniors and underclassmen and this team will once again be a force within both the Founders and New England Leagues next year.
At New England Championships, the Wyverns found extreme success. Brown won the long jump and placed second in both the 100m and 200m races. The 4×100 relay team for the boys was also outstanding with Brown, Thomas, junior Christian Gordon, and junior Sandy Cloud running an impressive 44.80 seconds and coming in first place out of 16 competing teams. On the girls team, Palmer dominated winning the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m individual events. Palmer also won the meet’s MVP award, which is based on a vote by the attending teams’ coaches.
The team scores reflected the work these athletes have put into every practice and competition this season, with the boys placing second and the girls placing third.
The Wyverns ended their season with amazing results at New England Championships and with a young core, they will be ready to progress even more next spring.
