After having fought hard all season for the GBL title, the Boys Indoor Track team finished their season with a record of 4-0-1, finally securing the co-GBL title with Revere in their final meet on 1/29/20. Having pulled in another title for the Boys Indoor Track team, head coach David Londino mentioned that he was happy to “reclaim the league that [they] once belonged to” after returning to the Greater Boston League after years in the Northeastern Conference.
The boys this season excelled in many of their events, having very skilled athletes competing. Without having as much depth as the girls team, the boys heavily relied on their ability to score first place in their events. However, Londino was very happy with the season, as he mentioned that the “record is the accomplishment.” Along with the record, the boys made strides individually during the league, having many athletes make GBL champion as well as qualify for the Division 1 State meets. Throwing coach Marc Ferrara mentioned how “All [athletes] performed unbelievably well,” and that everyone “Improved from day one and continued improving throughout the season.”
With the success seen throughout the season, there are always things to work on. While thinking “the team was very stable,” junior Brendan Santos mentioned that “the commitment could have worked better because many athletes would not show up to practice or some would skip practice.” Aside from commitment, it seems as if the teams “consistency from one meet to another could improve,” as mentioned by senior Omar Asousy, who noticed this during the GBL meet, stating that “often times things do not go [their] way.”
Something more unexpected were the injuries seen this season, as described by Londino, who mentioned that “[they] did have a few injuries throughout the season,” but is sceptical of whether or not they could have been avoided. Londino continued, stating that “proper diet, hydration, and sleep help prevent injury, and [he thinks] everyone can always work to improve these things.”
The success of the team however shows that they saw many strengths throughout the season, both on and off the track. Having pulled together a 4-0-1 record and securing the co-GBL title, the team has excelled in their ability to perform at high levels. Londino mentioned how “everyone did a good job of committing to the process and improving,“ and that “having [their] toughest competitor last really helped in that sense.” Aside from just their ability to perform their events, Santos stated that “[He thinks] what really went well was the amount of sportsmanship and friendship amongst the players of the teams in the GBL.” Asousy added to this, mentioning that “[he] was delighted to see [their] underclassmen experience great improvement in their times throughout the season.”
With preparations for the outdoor track season starting as soon as the indoor season ended, it is important for the team to embrace their weaknesses and build off of them to secure and equally as successful season. With around 90% of the team returning, as stated by Londino, it seems as though the same talent and skill will return outdoors to continue their events. However, outdoor tends to include many more events, specifically in throwing, which are not seen indoor. Ferrara, who is new to the team this year, has done a great job honing the abilities of the throwers on the team, often coming out on top during their events. Wanting to “continue improving, finding new talent, and remaining champion,” Ferrara will have a lot on his plate for the upcoming outdoor season.
While the team has a lot of talent within the upperclassmen, the team doesn’t seem too shaken up about graduation. While graduation always negatively impacts teams, the performance seen by younger athletes this year has proven the longevity of the team, as Londino mentioned that “[they] will be rebuilding next year but [they] have what is possibly the best freshman and sophomore athletes [they have] ever had,” and is a result “very confident” that they will be ready to take up the mantle of the current seniors. Asousy also commented on this, having very similar beliefs to Londino, stating that “While [their] class contains some of the best track athletes in several years, the underclassmen have proven that they are capable of becoming just as good if not better.”
Asousy continued saying that “as a senior, [he has] full confidence in their abilities to take up such a responsibility.”
The team has performed incredibly well this season, having pulled together a co-GBL title with the boys Revere team. Continuing to compete further in championships after their securing the title helps solidify their position in the league, having returned to the GBL a force to be reckoned with. The team will continue to perform at incredibly high levels into the outdoor season, hopefully pulling together another, title winning season.
