This year’s 2018 girls outdoor track team started off the season with “an amazing performance,” according to senior co-captain Aubrey Figoras. Their first meet was the Bellringer Invitational which took place on April 7 at East Hampton High School. “We finished in fifth place [out of 13 teams], with 67 points,” Figoras said.
The captains have high expectations for the team this year.
“Our ultimate goal is to have every girl on the team qualify for the Shoreline Championship Meet,” said Figoras. “We want to place as high in the championship meet as possible, but we also want to make sure every girl has fun and enjoys the team.”
They also put the time in to create effective workouts for the day before their meets.
“The day before a meet, we have an easier work-out, during which we practice technical things such as handoffs, starting out of blocks, or jumping/throwing form,” said Figoras. “The goal is essentially to be well-rested and ready to compete. We also have team dinners the night before a meet, which helps to get everybody pumped to run the next day.”
“We use GoogleClassroom and a team Facebook page to deliver announcements and sign up for meets,” said senior co-captain Ashley Dana. “We also hold regular team meetings before practices, so every girl is informed of upcoming events.”
“When I was a freshman, I really looked up our the team captain Bailey Thayer because she was so kind and helpful,” said Figoras. “Now, I am so excited to be in that same position of leadership because it is very gratifying to help out the younger members of the team and deliver the same experiences I had four years ago.”
“It’s a little sad that this is going to be my final season of track,” added Figoras. “I have seen so much growth over the past four years, in the team and in myself. I am very proud of all the other girls; they work extremely hard every day in practice, and I truly will miss each and every one of them.”
Although Figoras won’t be continuing her running career, Dana committed to Central Connecticut State University. She signed her CIAC Letter of Intent on Wednesday, April 11, surrounded by friends and family in the Coginchaug cafe.
“I’m so beyond excited to start running at Central,” said Dana. “The coach and teammates are so welcoming, and I’m ready to start working hard. I will definitely miss running at Coginchaug, but I know the captains next year will take care of the younger girls for their next season.”
