The KO boys and girls track and field teams have had a strong spring season, using depth across events and team-wide support to prepare for championship competition.
One of the team’s most successful meets came at Williston Northampton School on April, 26 2026, where both teams competed against several schools in a midseason meet that helped athletes sharpen their technique. “The meet was especially valuable because it gave athletes a chance to practice event techniques in real competition,” Head Coach Tricia Watson said. Since KO does not have its own track, meets often serve as important opportunities for relay exchanges, jumps, and field event practice. Coach Watson shared that Williston was also one of the team’s most enjoyable meets because of the strong competition and favorable weather after a season filled with rain.
The weather has been one of the biggest challenges for the team. “Athletes have to adjust to cold temperatures and rain throughout the spring, which has made stretching and warmups even more important,” sophomore David Hanley said. Despite those conditions, the team has continued to improve, and Hanley noted that competition within the team has pushed athletes to perform at higher levels. He said teammates constantly challenge each other in practice, which has helped everyone improve and brought out the best in both individual and relay events.
The boys team has been especially strong in sprinting events, led by its 4×100-meter relay. “The relay team, composed of myself, senior Captain Justin Morle, senior Cameron Thomas, and senior Captain Tyler Brown has been undefeated this season,” Hanley said, making it one of the team’s standout groups heading into championships. That success reflects the overall depth of the boys team. “Unlike some past seasons that were sprinter-heavy, this year’s team has strength in sprints, throws, jumps, and distance events,” senior Leonardo Ladewig said. This has given the Wyverns more opportunities to score points across the meet.
The Founders League Championship meet at Avon Old Farms School on May 9 tested the teams in difficult conditions. The boys finished third overall, while the girls placed sixth despite missing athletes in some events. “The meet was one of the toughest of the season because athletes had to compete through pouring rain and long day events, all while dealing with the pressure of trying to qualify for New England’s,” Coach Watson said.
The girls team made major strides since the first meet of the season, especially among underclassmen. Coach Watson added that many athletes were initially learning how to manage a track and field meet, from organizing warmups to preparing for multiple events over several hours. Now, those same athletes are beginning to see personal records in events such as the 800-meter run and 1500, showing how much confidence and experience they have gained over the course of the season.
Mental toughness has been another major focus. “Track and field presents a unique challenge because athletes are not only worried about their results but also the pain of the race itself, making every event a mental battle,” Ladewig said.
Hanley added that dedication plays a huge role because not everyone wants to train every day, but the athletes who stay committed continue improving throughout the season.
Team spirit has remained central to both squads’ success, rather than focusing only on their own events. Hanely shared that attentiveness has helped create a strong culture, as athletes consistently cheer for and encourage teammates, no matter the events. That sense of unity has helped both teams stay motivated throughout the season and has played a major role in their success.
With New Englands now complete, where the boys won first place, and the girls got 11th place, the track and field teams can look back on a season defined by growth, depth, and team support. The boys continued to build on their championship tradition, while the girls showed steady improvement with a younger roster. With strong relay teams, developing underclassmen, and success across multiple events, both squads finished the season with momentum.
