The most successful season of indoor track in the six year history of the program was just concluded. It was a season that saw Stratford High School's first conference title in over two years, saw a new individual SWC record set, and sent one member to New Englands.Led by Mr. Mike Sirowich and Mr. Duane Shirden, this 40 plus strong team was the largest ever assembled for SHS indoor track. The team elected five captains, seniors Nikki Ferris, Lissette Cruz, Rob Wauthier, Joe Tanucci and Matt Fratancangeli. These five helped lead practices in cramped hallways and gyms within the building. Despite these less than perfect conditions, the Devils marched on toward SWCs with the goal to do very well. For the girls', they were hurt by lack of numbers, but the members they did have performed at an extremely high level. Nearly every girls' team record fell this season, and Sara Mitchell broke the SWC record in the 300m when she ran it in 44.39 sec. Ferris battled hip injuries to qualify for SWCs and states in the hurdles, while fellow senior (and four year member) Sarah Beauchemin led the way in high jump while also running distance. Fellow distance members Sara Leventhal, Alison Janowski, and Cruz made up the 4x800 team. At SWCs, despite bringing only eight members, the team managed an 8th place finish, with a first by Mitchell in the 300 and a third place in the sprint medley relay among the top medals.For the boys, there was a rare problem going into SWCs: too many people. Wauthier, Tanucci and Joe Lima qualified for high jump, at least half a dozen names could be considered for each of the'four relays. Sirowich used masterful coaching to organize his team, and it paid off with 118 points and a conference title. To read the SHS school newspaper's account of the SWC triumph, click here
