Clinton High introduces indoor track program

CLINTON - This winter sports season marks the first time that Clinton High School (CHS) has fielded an indoor track team, and the early results have been positive, according to assistant coach Chadd Baer.

"I think (indoor track) is a huge step for the program," Baer said. "When it comes to (outdoor) track and field, most of the schools we compete against have three seasons of running in track.

"They have cross country, (and) indoor and outdoor track, and that gives them a big advantage," he said. "When you don't have an indoor program, then it takes a longer time to hit your stride for the outdoor program.

"We really needed it for the overall success of our program," Baer continued. "The key is the earlier you start teaching the younger athletes the events, the better off you are.

"Hopefully, this will jump start our spring program and cross country in the fall," he said.

Baer, a CHS alumnus, is a graduate of Holy Cross College and holds a master's degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. He is a physician's assistant specializing in orthopedics.

The Gaels' head coach is longtime outdoor track and field mentor, Dave Vanasse.

High school indoor track is heavy on the running events, with only two field events - high jump and shot put.

Clinton is off to a solid start with its new program, posting a 2-2 record. The Gaels have claimed victories over Narragansett Regional and Bromfield, while dropping decisions to Ayer-Shirley and Lunenburg.

"If we finish at .500, that would be pretty good," Baer said. "This is our inaugural season, so I think we are competing well against schools that have had indoor for several years."

In last Wednesday's meet with Lunenburg at Fitchburg High School, in a Midland-Wachusett League D Division contest, junior captain Antonio Nieves finished first in the high jump, while sophomore Brandon Gour came in second.

In the 55-meter dash, sophomore Elvis Velez took second place, while junior captain Matheus Lucena finished second in the 600-meter run.

Sophomore Joe Marshall was third in the mile run.

All meets take place at either Fitchburg, Shrewsbury or Wachusett Regional, all of which have indoor track facilities.

In addition to Clinton, Lunenburg, Narragansett Regional and Bromfield, the other teams in the league are Littleton and Murdock.

The team's captains are Nieves, Lucena, junior Jonathan Horn and senior Mason Taylor.

Nieves events are the 55m dash, 300 meters, high jump and shot put, while Lucena competes in the 600m, high jump and both relay teams.

"He (Nieves) is pretty much the best on the team in all of his events," Baer said. "He is a very talented athlete and does a great job. He has some of the best leadership skills I have seen in my eight years of coaching.

"He knows how to rally the troops and get the team motivated," he said. "He talks to other members of the team as an equal, and he makes it seem more like a family than a team.

"Matheus (Lucena) provides awesome leadership for us, too," Baer said. "He is the only one on the team, so far, to qualify for the District meet, and that is in the 600m.

"I think he has the best running form on the team," he said. "He is very competitive and runs like a machine. I can't speak more highly of him and Antonio and their commitment to the team."

Horn's events are the hurdles, high jump, and 4-by-400m relay, while Taylor is a sprinter.

"John (Horn) works hard and has come a long way in the last couple of years," Baer said. "He is very coachable and works on fine tuning his form and technique.

"Anything you tell him, he soaks up like a sponge," he said. "He should be one of the top hurdlers in the league.

"Mason (Taylor) has brought three years of commitment to track and field," Baer said. "He has worked very hard at his events and has gotten progressively better every year.

"I think his best quality is his sportsmanship," he said. "He is a good leader, and his work ethic is also very good."

The other senior on the squad is Ryan Kruckas, who is a shot putter.

"Ryan (Kruckas) is out for track for the first time," Baer said. "He has really picked up the shot put form in a short period of time and has improved every week."

The other junior on the team is Gabriel Mesquita, while the other sophomores are Mark Dwinells, Taha Sabri and Alex Lipka.

Marshall and Gour are two up-and-coming members of the team.

"Joe Marshall has been a big surprise," Baer said. "He is an awesome distance runner and is only going to get better. He does the mile, 2-mile and 1,000m.

"Brandon (Gour) has unbelievable athletic ability," he said. "He can be in any event and will do just about anything you ask him to do."

Jasson Rosario, Brayden O'Leary, Freddie Perez, Elian Montas and Arthur Cogan are the squad's freshmen.

"All the freshmen are committed to the sport and are there every day at practice," Baer said. "They listen, work hard and are trying their hardest to improve.

"They are all progressing well," he said. "When spring track comes, they will be ahead of the game."

The two girls on the team are senior Melina Falette and freshman Molly Gerow, who compete as individuals against other girls' teams.

Falette's events are the shot put and the 55m dash, while Gerow does the 300m and the high jump.

Melina (Falette) has been doing well for us for several years now," Baer said. "She shows up and tries hard.

"Molly (Gerow) is only a freshman, and I think she has great promise," he said. "I think she could break records for the school for years to come. She has a great vertical jump and overall athletic ability."

The indoor league meet is on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Fitchburg High, while the District meet is scheduled for next month.