Last year, Walpole Boys Indoor Track placed 13th in Division II and ended the season with a 2-4 record. Compared to previous years, the 2012-2013 season was not as successful. However, the team is not letting last year’s record hold them back from having a great 2013-2014 season as the boys are transitioning from Division II to Division III. Head coach Kevin Butera hopes that with the change, more individuals and relay teams will be able to qualify for the Division III Championship, and hopefully the Rebels will achieve his major goal for the season: win the Herget title.
Big competitors like Natick, Milton, and Norwood are stronger than ever and are also fighting to win the Herget title this season. Butera believes that with such tough competition, some of the meets this year will be close.
“The biggest expectation for me is having the captains all step up and lead this team not only through their solid performances, but also their work ethic,” said Buetera, “We have a very young team, so their leadership will be crucial to our success.” This years captains include seniors Jon Kelland, Mike St. Germain, Robbie Lederman, and Anthony Divirglilio
Headed by senior Captain Anthony DiVirgilio, most of the varsity distance squad comes from varsity cross country members. This group includes seniors Mike Van der Linden and Pat Connell, who finished top 30 at the Division III Meet this fall. The group — rounded off by several excellent freshmen — is tough competition for the opposing teams.
The sprinting group, however, is weakened this year by the loss of graduates Connor McCarthy and PJ Hayes — the 55 m Dash State Champion — two highly competitive All State runners, in addition to several other competitive runners. Sprinting Captain St Germain said, “I think its always hard when you realize that you can’t rely on [the graduated seniors] anymore, especially since the class was so talented. However, judging by our success last year in the spring season, I am not too scared for the coming year. I know our veterans are ready to fight in order to make up for a tough winter season last year,”. This season, there is still a strong nucleus of younger runners who are key to restocking their depth in sprinting and hurdling.
“We will need a full team effort if we are going to have success this winter.” said Buetera. The boys’ first meet will be against Dedham High School on December 12.
