Although the Flint Hill Track and Field team lost 17 seniors to graduation, the 2011 spring squad is looking strong according to head coach Douglas MacLeod, now in his fourth year leading the squad.
“We seem to have a very good group of both girls and boys. We’re young, but we have some newcomers that look strong,” MacLeod said. “From what we’ve seen, it’s a great group.”
There was much to be happy with in 2010, as the Huskies broke eight school records and had several top finishes at the league and state championships. That follows a trend that has started since MacLeod came on board.
“Out of the 42 [school] records, we have broken 36 of those in the last four years,” he said. “These kids have established some really good marks.”
On the girls’ side, the biggest return is junior Britt Savage, who won the ISL in the 300 Hurdles and was state runner-up in the same event. Savage also finished in the top six in both meets in the 100 High Hurdles.
“She anchors the 4x400 and could do any sprint event and compete on a high level,” MacLeod said.
Also returning is Brittany Sweatman, who holds the school record for discus at 88.5, and Stephanie Altreuter, a strong runner in both the 200 and 400.
Turning to the boys, senior Ren Simpson will once again be counted on in the throwing events.
“He reached 103 feet for discus, and I hope to see him get over 40 feet in shot put this year,” MacLeod said. “He’s the school record holder and MAC runner up in discuss.”
Greg Pawlow and Drew Hall will be among the top 800 runners in the league, while Anthony Lynch and Ryan Barbalace anchor the team in the mile and two mile. Pollo ran a 2:06 flat last year and his coach believes he can bring that down under to under 2:00. Lynch broke 18 minutes in the 5K this fall.
“Jonny Howard, who played varsity football for us this year, is going to be a bright spot,” MacLeod said. “Junior Will Davidson is also showing a lot of promise."
With a team of approximately 56 kids, the team will have plenty of options for getting the best out on the track.
“The attitude on the track is great, and the coaching staff I have is phenomenal,” MacLeod said.
Joining him is throwing coach Julia Cardone, distance coach Lucas Ames, distance coach Alex Lester, and sprint coach C. Nicholas Savage.
After an opening meet against the Bullis School on March 16, the school will host a Spring Break invitational at home on March 29, with 8 to 10 schools coming out.
Other home meets are April 12 against Bullis, St. Albans and National Cathedral School; April 16 against Potomac, Maret and John Paul the Great; April 21 against GDS, Sidwell Friends and St. Andrews; and April 26 against Sidwell Friends.
On April 9, the team will head down to Woodbery Forest where they have the laser automatic timing system. They will also visit the brand new track at Sidwell Track on April 5.
“Another big meet is the Penn Relays for both 4x4s on April 28 and April 30,” MacLeod said. “It’s a great event.”
The Draper Invitational begins May 6, and begins the first of the team’s “championship season.”
“The team looks good. We have a bunch of committed kids this year,” said sprint coach Savage. “These kids are young but they have talent and want to perform. It makes for a strong, fast and exciting season.”
The story has been corrected to correctly spell the names of Ryan Barbalace and Greg Pawlow.
