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Stuart Track Seniors on a Mission; Aim to Achieve Prep B Three-Peat
By Bill Alden
The seniors on the Stuart track team are on a mission this spring.
The quintet of Angela Harrington, Maya Thompson, Brittany Jones, Megan Keese, and Sophie Medina, have played a vital role in leading the Tartans to back-to-back state Prep B titles.
They come into 2004 determined to end their careers on a high note with a third title. "The seniors have been together since sixth grade, they realize this is it," said head coach Tom Harrington, who is in his seventh year guiding the Stuart track program. "They've made up their minds that they want to leave with a state title. The three-peat is our goal."
Harrington's core of veterans brings versatility and talent to go along with their determination.
Harrington, the coach's daughter, will do sprints, long jumping, and will likely throw in the big meets. Thompson is one of the top throwers in Prep B circles, having finished in the top three last spring in the state meet in the shot put, discus, and javelin. Medina is a strong hurdler while Jones will score points in both the hurdles and relays, and Keese will contribute in the throwing events.
In Harrington's view, a three-peat would be a fitting finale for his seniors considering how they have helped put the program on the map. "This group of seniors knows how bad things were when they came," recalled Harrington. "They started a major turnaround in our program."
In addition to the seniors, a key strength of Harrington's program is his contingent of sparkling distance runners featuring juniors Emily Driscoll, Katherine Currie, and Caroline Cancelosi, sophomore Laura Brienza, and freshman Elizabeth Cancelosi.
"From the 800 up, we are going to be solid," maintained Harrington, whose cross country program won its second straight Prep B title this past fall. "My front five from cross country are pretty tough."
Harrington needs that mental toughness as he deals with his annual challenge putting together a formidable unit without having a track on campus.
"Everyday is a creation, it can be impacted by the weather, who's got the gym, and so on," said Harrington, noting that his athletes sometimes get shuttled down to the Delaware and Raritan Canal towpath or Princeton Battlefield park to get in their training. "The kids want to do well and they are willing to adjust."
If the Tartans are to do well this spring and achieve their goals, Harrington's athletes will need to produce a total team effort. "We have headliners in each event," explained Harrington. "We need to build a support staff."
Harrington will be looking for points from such athletes as juniors Meaghan McCarthy in the sprints and long jump, and Kate Clarke in the discus, hurdles, and sprints.
Sophomores who could score for the Tartans include Saskia Van Neuwenhuyse in the distance events, Maria Naskalov in the sprints, Rosyln Elliot in the high jump and sprints, together with Nora Gecan and Sofia Clark in the throwing events.
Harrington is also expecting help from such freshmen as Sarah Goodwin in the throwing events, Taylor Tully in the sprints, Hannah Wilson in the high jump and hurdles, Brittany Kidd in the high jump and sprints, and Claire Henderson in the sprints and hurdles.
Harrington is confident that his supporting cast can help the seniors leave the program with their happy ending.
"We have some kids who have some ability," said Harrington, whose team will start its 2004 campaign by competing in the Mercer Relays on April 3 and traveling to Pennington on April 5. "My challenge is to keep them focused through the early part of the season."
Based on Stuart's glittering recent track record in the Prep B championship meet, the Tartans should be sharp when it counts most.
