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Season Preview: Indoor track running in a virtual space

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Courtesy photo

Indoor track has a bevy of changes this Fall II.

Indoor track meets have a different look this season.

First off, they’ll be held outside instead of inside. Second, teams won’t be boarding busses to head to the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center because that’s being used as COVID-19 vaccination center.

All meets are scheduled to be held at home in a virtual form with teammates competing with each other and then their scores will be entered online after for the rest of the league to see. Finally, there will also only be three field events: shot put, long jump and high jump. Other than that, it’s business as usual.

“Our virtual meets are essentially weekly time trails run at our facility with no opponent on campus,” explained seventh-year W-H girls’ head coach Steve George. “Our athletes compete with each other and run against the clock.”

Junior Myah Kamperides knows a thing or two about running against the clock. The reigning league all-star will lead the pack for the girls’ team this season. She competed in six running events last week and posted her best time in each of them.

She’s also brought along her younger sister, Savannah, a freshman. She competed in five individual events last week and was top three in four of them.

“We’ve got some extraordinary athletes among our distance runners in addition to the Kamperides girls,” George said. “Isabelle Amado, Anna Sullivan, Anna Flynn and Sarah Boulger all have experience and would be big factors in dual meet competition. And we have a couple of very talented sprinters/hurdlers in Hailey Minicucci and April Keyes, who also compete in the jumping events as well.”

George said the focus remains on improvement, like any other season.

“Some of the kids are trying events for the very first time as a byproduct of the jamboree format,” George said. “For example, we started working with a dozen-plus athletes on the long jump and in only four sessions they are hitting their marks and jumping like veterans.”

George said he believes this new track format could benefit his athletes in the near future.

“The virtual format really provides an opportunity for experimentation and I expect we’ll see enormous improvement among those who have joined in,” he said. “When spring track arrives, we’ll have a group of kids who are ready for anything.”

BOYS’ TEAM

The boys’ team is led by the other Kamperides, senior Theo Kamperides, who is the back-to-back boys’ cross country MVP in the Patriot League Keenan Division.

“[He] will continue to be a dominant runner this winter,” said second-year W-H boys’ head coach Stephen Schlicting.

He is joined by cross country league all-stars, seniors Liam Cafferty and Chris MacDonald and juniors Nathan Tassey and Gordon Johnson.

“We have a very strong contingent of distance runners,” Schlicting said.

Juniors Jake Caterer and Jacob Donovan should push each other in the sprints. Senior Chris Blackman runs the 300 and 600, while junior Chase Baker will lead the way in the hurdles and long jump.

The Panthers’ mission this season is to just keep working on their skills together.

“[The] goal will be to improve and to encourage all to try new events, building a strong team culture of support and togetherness and having fun as we work this winter,” Schlicting said.

Dealing with a delayed spring sports season at Whitman-Hanson

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The spring sports season is delayed until at least May 4.

For the Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ tennis team, optimism was high — and rightfully so — as it looked toward this spring.

The Panthers are set to return all 18 players from last year’s team that won its first tournament game in program history.

Now, the girls’ tennis team, like the rest of the clubs, is grappling with a delayed start to the spring due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We were looking forward to our best season thus far,” said girls’ tennis head coach Sue Sookiasian. “Coach (Sue) Moss and I are keeping the faith that we will be able to have some sort of an abbreviated season.”

This spring is also key for the boys’ lacrosse team, but for the opposite  reason. The Panthers are tasked with making up for the loss of 10 seniors. Five of those seniors combined for 112 goals, one was its Patriot League All-Star starting goaltender and another was a captain on defense.

“It’s definitely tough because I would have liked to get a full season in to develop the younger guys because the majority of starters last year were seniors,”  said boys’ lacrosse head coach Tyler Sabens. “I’m hopeful that we’ll have a spring season even if it’s short.”

If all goes as planned and there are no further setbacks, that short spring season will get underway on May 4 with tryouts. Games will get underway about a week later, according to athletic director Bob Rodgers. 

Baseball skipper Pat Cronin, who started coaching 47 years ago, has never seen anything like this, but he understands the delay is necessary. 

“[I] Feel for the kids, of course,” Cronin said. “The seniors are in their final year and will be unable to ever get back the time missed. While virtually my entire life has been centered about the classroom and athletic fields, missing a season or part of a season is a small price to pay if we can help to save lives.”

Head girls’ lacrosse coach AC Decker, who was hired last offseason, is possibly facing his first spring without picking up a stick since he was introduced to the sport back in 1975. 

“The girls are devastated, especially the seniors,” Decker said. “I can tell that there were many players who were very prepared and ready for the season. The captains, Marissa Connell and Riley Bina (sitting at 92 career goals), organized teams for indoor leagues and kept the players motivated.

“Going into my second year, I felt much better prepared. We were hosting a small preseason jamboree, and I was able to set my schedule this year.”

Josh Lopes is set to enter his first spring at the helm of the boys’ tennis team. He doesn’t think the season will actually happen — and if it does — he won’t have a good feeling going in. 

“I don’t know much about the team at all, especially what the experience levels are,” Lopes said. “Quite a few are first-year players. I had met with anyone interested in playing but it does feel like we are going into the season essentially blind. I don’t really know what to expect in terms of ability and players. It was actually part of the excitement for me, thinking about what the possibilities could be.”

Steve George, the girls’ outdoor track head coach, noted it’s frustrating not being able to communicate with his athletes about potential practices and workouts because of a strict MIAA policy that states, “A coach may not directly or indirectly require an athlete to participate in a sport or a training program outside of the MIAA defined sport season.”

“This pandemic has created an immensely frustrating time for me as a coach,” George said. “I’m literally isolated from the athletes, but in addition there are rules placing limitations on what we can discuss or suggest out of season.”

With that said, he is immensely concerned about his athletes getting hurt if the season ends up getting underway.

“I have a growing concern about injury, if and when we do return,” he said. “Accelerating training would increase that likelihood, and the MIAA will proceed with caution to ensure adequate practices take place prior to competition. But many of the athletes will not want to hold back, despite a lengthy period of inactivity and that could be disastrous. My job is to keep them healthy and safe and that is how I intend to proceed.”

Boys’ outdoor track head coach Stephen Schlicting tries to post a tweet each day to keep in touch with his athletes, but he knows it’s not the same as seeing their faces. 

“It seems like a long time since I’ve seen the team,” said Schlicting, who also coaches the boy’s indoor track team. “I’m hoping we have this thing beat by May 4. We had a very good group this past winter, and I’m looking forward to the others who will join and start next month.”

Softball head coach Jordan McDermott has been doing her best to keep her players’ spirits up. 

“I did do a challenge for a week with the girls where I gave them a challenge and they had the option to do something,” McDermott explained. “I loved how I made it not only for the softball girls but for all those who follow my account; it was pretty cool to see other girls from other schools and towns get involved. I go live here and there on my account and try to check in on the student-athletes. My goal is to keep the girls engaged, active and optimistic.”

One thing is certain: each coach is devastated for their senior(s). 

Season Review: Boys’ indoor track finds success

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Photo by: Sue Moss

The Panthers finished the year 3-2.

It was a winning campaign this winter for the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ indoor track team.

The Panthers finished the season 3-2, which included league wins over Duxbury and Silver Lake.

“The high point was the excitement we experienced with seeing our athletes get better and being competitive within the league,” said first-year W-H indoor track head coach Stephen Schlicting. “Having three wins and losing a fourth by only two points fueled excitement and a feeling that no challenge was insurmountable.”

Junior Theo Kamperides picked up where he left off in the cross-country season, earning league all-star status once again. He set a school record in the 5k at 15:52.61, before capping the year by setting a personal record in the 2-mile run at the Div. 3 state indoor track meet with a time of 10:06.32.

“Theo Kamperides was outstanding this winter,” Schlicting said.

Kamperides was one of a bevy of veterans to impress Schlicting this winter.

“Many had career personal records,” the coach explained. “Our top scorers, with one exception, were all returners. Graham Stewart, Theo Kamperides, Jake Caterer, Brandon Hager, Liam Cafferty, Chris Blackman, Pat Bui, Dyllan Burns and Nathan Tassey scored the majority of our points. They all pushed themselves, and set the example for newer teammates.”

Blackman, Cafferty, Hager and Tassey led the way in the distance events, which Schlicting coined as the team’s strength.

“They were dependable, hard workers who excelled on the track and set a great example in practice,” Schlicting said.

“We had some younger distance athletes in Gordon Johnson and James Molito who will make an impact in the future. Cullen Poth was our Rookie of the Year, winning shot put in four of the five dual meets. We had some great performances from Seniors Pat Bui, Dyllan Burns and Matt Avery in our middle-distance races. We had some younger athletes who will be scorers in the future in Jacob Donovan, Mike King, Ryan Smith and Sean Kelly.”

Schlicting said he has a simple message to his athletes with the hopes of carrying this momentum into the spring.

“Build on what you have done this winter,” he said. “Bring a friend,  we are interested in anyone willing to learn, listen and challenge themselves to get better. We especially welcome freshman athletes or those who may be on the bench or not an important part of another sport. No one sits in track and field — everyone plays.”

Season Preview: High hopes for boys’ indoor track

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Boys’ indoor track is aiming to be competitive in a tough Patriot League.

There are some high hopes for the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ indoor track team this winter. 

“Our primary goal every season is to recruit new athletes, and to provide a rewarding and challenging program that will keep our veterans building on their previous experience,” said first-year boys’ indoor track head coach Stephen Schlicting, who is also the head coach of the boys’ outdoor track team. 

“We hope to be competitive with the top teams in the Patriot League. I believe we have solid captains and veterans.”

Those captains are seniors Patrick Bui, Nick Hanley and Brandon Hager.

“[They’re] experienced leaders who know the are experienced leaders who know the sport and are committed to help this team get better,” Schlicting said. “They bring spirit and performances that will make us a better team. I believe we have a strong returning core of experienced track and field athletes. 

Hager was a league all-star after excelling in the 1-mile run last season for the Panthers, who finished 2-3. He’ll be pushed by reigning Patriot League cross country MVP, junior Theo Kamperides, and juniors Liam Cafferty and Chris MacDonald and Hanley. 

“We have solid depth from our distance group,” Schlicting said.

Bui is expected to score in the 300-meter dash, shot put and relays and will get a push in the 300 and relays by classmate Dyllan Burns. Sophomore Jake Caterer is the Panthers’ fastest 55-meter sprinter and will score in the high jump and long jump, according to Schilicting. Junior Graham Stewart will contribute in the hurdles, jumps and relays. 

Schlicting said he wants to see his club get stronger.

“This means using the fitness room regularly and to be committed to core strength program,” said the coach. “I want the members to work together and push each other to become better athletes and young men.”

The Panthers return to action Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 3:45 p.m. at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center against Hingham and Silver Lake. 

“I want the new members to get comfortable, learn and communicate,” Schlicting said. “I want us to stay healthy and avoid injury. I want us to figure out what events each is best at and give each member the motivation to excel.”

Season Review: Boys’ outdoor track yields success

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The team / Photo by: Sue Moss

The boys’ outdoor track team went 3-2 this spring.

For head Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ outdoor track coach Stephen Schlicting, it was tough to ask for a better campaign from his squad.

“This was a very successful season, in my opinion,” said the second-year head coach. “We started the season with over 70 boys on the roster and we finished with 60 active members. Recruiting and keeping a large number of athletes who strive to improve is a key to a track and field program remaining competitive in this league. Those athletes had hundreds of improvements over the course of the season. That’s how I gauge the team’s success.”

In the Panthers’ last three dual meets of the season – which featured wins over Duxbury (75-61) and Silver Lake (73-63) and a loss to Hingham (103-34) – athletes improved more than 50 times

“Our goals going into the season were to recruit a larger number of athletes than in the previous years,” explained Schlicting. “We wanted those athletes to improve. We wanted to participate in the major invitational meets (state relays, Patriot League meet, Div. 2 state meet and the MSTCA decathlon.) All those goals were met.”

The Panthers’ win/loss mark wasn’t too shabby either, as they finished the spring 3-2.

“We had a great group of boys on this year’s team,” said the coach.

Senior captain Dan Kline was named the team’s MVP after having a monster spring in both the 110-meter hurdles and javelin, while also contributing in the 400-meter hurdles.

“[He] was our best 110 high hurdler and javelin thrower,” Schlicting said.

Sophomore Theo Kamperides improved on an impressive freshman season, setting personal bests in both the 1- (4:45) and 2-mile run (9:58.37) en route to being tabbed a league all-star.

“He’s our team’s best 2 miler,” Schlicting said. “Theo came in first in the 2 mile at the Patriot League meet and had a great run, personal record of 9:58.37 at the Division 2 state meet.”

Junior Cullen Poth burst onto the scene in the discus and shotput, filling two major holes for the Panthers. His 39-foot-9 shot put throw and 117-foot-5 hurl of the discus were both personal bests this season.

“Cullen was our best discus and shot put thrower,” Schlicting said. “He was co-winner of our most improved award this year.”

Senior captains Shane Schraut (400-meter hurdles and 4×400 relay) and Billy Martell (100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and 4×100 relay) were also key.

“The aforementioned seniors, Dan Kline, Shane Schraut and Billy Martell, will be missed in terms of the points they earned at meets,” Schlicting said. “Their leadership and spirit will be hard to replace.”

Freshman Jake Caterer will not be missed, however, as he’s just getting started with his W-H track career – and in a big way, setting the freshman school record in the 100-meter dash and tying it in the 200-meter dash.

“Jake is a freshman sprinter and jumper,” Schlicting said. “He [also] ran on the 4×100 relay team that qualified to compete at the state Division 2 meet. Jake is an excellent high jumper and long jumper [also].”

Schlicting said he’s already looking forward to next season.

“My hope is that the strength and spirit our seniors brought to this year’s team will be replaced and surpassed as the underclassmen step forward to lead next year’s team,” Schlicting said. “Some of those others who will step forward will also include Pat Bui, Brandon Hager, Graham Stewart, Nick Hanley, Dyllan Burns, Mike King, Chris Blackman, Nathan Tassey, Will Stafford and Zachary Standish.”

Season Preview: Boys’, Girls’ outdoor track teams sprinting into spring

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Photo by: Brian McLoughlin

Both Whitman-Hanson Regional High track teams will rely on their legs this spring.

There is no secret as to what will power the Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ and girls’ outdoor track teams this season. It’s their running.

BOYS’ TEAM

Seniors Jack Ryan (grey) and Alex Uva (black). Photo by: Brian McLoughlin

As Stephen Schilicting enters his first season at the helm of the boys’ outdoor track team, he’s excited by what he’s seen.

“We have some very talented boys,” Schilicting, who takes over the team that finished 2-4 under Mike Driscoll last spring, said. “Our running program, I think, is going to do very, very well. Our distance runners are excellent. Jack Ryan, Andrew Newman – they’re really, really great runners.”

Newman and Ryan, who are both seniors, are about as good as it gets. Newman has taken his game to a whole new level this season, racing to first-place finishes in his first five meets during the fall in cross country while garnering Patriot League All-Star recognition. He was also a league all-star in the winter as well. As a junior, Ryan was a three-season Patriot League All-Star in cross country, indoor track and winter track.

Ryan captains the team alongside classmate Alex Uva and junior Billy Martell.

“I’m very comfortable with them,” Schilicting, who served as an assistant coach at W-H during the cross country and indoor track season, said. “I’ve seen Jack up close and Alex up close and I had Billy in winter track working with him in the sprints so I’m sure he’s going to do a great job.”

Martell is going to play a key role in what Schilicting coined the strength of the team – distance running.

“Billy Martell is a very good sprinter, he’ll be doing the 100 [and] the 200,” Schilicting explained. “(Senior) Scott Mateus will be running in the 100 and the 4×1. They’re kind of my experienced veterans coming back.”

Schilicting has some pretty good hurdlers as well, led by a pair of juniors.

“I’ve got Dan Kline, who qualified in high hurdles last year, he’s coming back,” Schilicting explained. “He’s going to be doing high and low hurdles and Shane Schraut, who did cross country for the first time this year and he did indoor track, and he’s getting better and better in the hurdles.”

The Panthers, who opened the season with a 125-10 victory over North Quincy yesterday, will be back in action Tuesday, April 10 at 3:35 p.m. on the road against Hingham.

“I’m really excited,” Schlicting said. “There’s over 50 boys on this team. We’re up as far as numbers are concerned [from the winter season].”

GIRLS’ TEAM

As for the girls’ outdoor track team, its seen a participation increase as well – up from 34 athletes last season to 42 this spring. Fifteen freshmen and 15 sophomores will account for roughly 70 percent of its roster.

“We’re still trying to find our way right now,” fourth-year W-H head coach Steve George said. “… we’ve got a lot of kids who are inexperienced.”

Freshman Isabelle Amado. / Photo by: Brian McLoughlin

Freshman Gabrielle Coste is one of those newcomers.

“She has high jumped 5 feet as a middle school student so I’m looking forward to seeing what she can do at this level,” George, whose team finished 2-4 last season, said.

While Coste may headline the first-year participants, senior captains Nicole Norve and Lilly Perkins lead the returnees. Norve, an Adams State University commit, has been a league all-star three times in cross country, twice in indoor track and once for outdoor track. Perkins will anchor the 400-meter dash and long jump – two events she excels in.

“They’re multi-sport captains and they’ve had some experience at it and performed well in the past as captains and they continue to do that, despite the fact that they have less than 60 days of school left,” George said.

Juniors Ally Bartlett and Dorothy DiMascio-Donohue, sophomores Anika Floeck and Samantha Perkins, and freshman Isabelle Amado will also give the Panthers a boost this season.

“I think we’re strong in the distance events,” George said. “We have three to five girls who are very talented in multiple events so we will be good in the jumps.”

The Panthers, who opened the season yesterday with a 76-58 loss to North Quincy, will be back in action Tuesday, April 10 at 3:45 p.m. on the road against Hingham.

“A winning record [is our goal],” George said. “We have five dual meets scheduled and three of the teams are some of the top teams in the state in Hingham, Duxbury and Plymouth North High School, so they’re very difficult opponents but we hope to maybe steal one of those meets.”