Boys / Eastern Connecticut Conference

Large Division

FITCH

Coach: Rich Kosta (9th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Amancio Aguilar, Sr. John Joyner, Sr. Adante Thornton, Jr. Kieron Smith, Jr. Alex Olendorff, Jr. John Coleman So. Lake Wyld, So. Chris BondTop newcomers: Jr. Michael Phillips, Jr. Derrick Baldoz, Jr. Lexus Gordon.

Outlook: The Falcons looks to be strong in the sprints and relays with many experienced runners in those events. Joyner is one of the stronger throwers in the conference. He placed third in the javelin and fourth in the discus at last season's Class M meet. Olendorf will lead a group of young distance runners.

LEDYARD

Coach: Kyle Griffin (13th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Steve Burger, Sr. Bobby Chestnut, Sr. Adam Ensley, Jr. Cory Coates, Jr. Greg Knight, Jr. Tyler Dunkle, Jr. Steve Galloway, Jr. Josh Lawrence, So. Ben Bruciati, So. Alex Paterson, So. Christof Wegiel, Sr. Trevor Poplewko.

Top newcomers: So. Kyle Wilson, Fr. Joe Carter.

Outlook: Ledyard is young, and because many are trying new events, it's going to take breakout seasons from a few different athletes for the Colonels to be successful in the always-stacked ECC Large. "There are many outstanding teams in this division. You really need to have all events covered and have the depth to keep up in the Large Divsion," Griffin said.

WATERFORD

Coach: Mike Ellis (5th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Anthony Farrell, Sr. Joe Frye, Sr. Scott May, Sr. Matt McNichol, Sr. Peter Guarino, Jr. Y-Kim Sheppard, Jr. Dakota Jones.

Top newcomers: So. Chris Jones, So. Regi Jones, So. Jordan Jones, So. Wyatt Guthrie, So. David Willox, So. David Zaldivar, Fr. Michael Arteaga.

Outlook: Waterford lost a lot of points from last year, but have returning state qualifiers in Dakota Jones, McNichol and Sheppard. Ellis is hoping for some of his newcomers to help right away.

Medium Division

BACON ACADEMY

Coach: Steve Browning (13th season)

Key returnees: Rob Cotten, Pat Dooley, Peter Malicki, Jason Sedgwick, Devon Alicata, Chris Soares, Ryan Pennington, Will Bartol, Dave Hennig.

Top newcomers: The Bobcats enter the season in rebuilding mode after graduating most of their group of athletes who scored in the state meet. Bacon will spend the first few meets rebuilding key areas like the jumps and throws.

MONTVILLE

Coach: Tim Egan (18th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Bobby Johnson, Sr. Matt Troillet, Sr. Dan Santos, Sr. Tom McGarry, Jr. Brandon Johnson, So. Jesse Joseph, So. Aaron Sheldon, So. Joe Rainville.

Top newcomers: Sr. Eric Riley, Sr. Sean Hanrahan, Jr. Brandon Robertson.

Outlook: The Indians enjoyed a bit of a renaissance last year, buoyed by Class M and New England 100-meter champion Darrell Wattely, The Day's All-Area Runner of the Year, who has since graduated. Montville still has a lot of talent, and should be a better big-meet team, with Bobby Johnson and Santos both returning as Class M scorers, while Brandon Johnson is coming off a strong indoor season hurdling. The Indians should also be able to put together some very competitive relay teams.

NEW LONDON

Coach: Bob Castronova (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. Carlos Lozada, Sr. Michael Lee, Sr. Frankie Dallas, Jr. Jevon Elmore.

Top newcomers: Sr. Terrell Hudson, Jr. Ben Lewis, Jr. Kyle McKinnon, Jr. Jason Piontowski, So. Alex Devaux, So. Sri Lewis, So. Will Keating.

Outlook: The Whalers are looking to improve on last year's fifth-place finish in the ECC and challenge the large schools as they'll be moving up to Class L next season. They also aim to compete for the Class MM title (New London finished two points behind champion Brookfield last spring). Dallas, Elmore and Lozada return from last season's Class MM champion 4x400 team; Dallas was the 100 meter champion.

Small Division

GRISWOLD

Coach: Jamie Bruno (3rd season)

Key returnees: Sr. Jon Choiniere, Sr. Jon Finley, Sr. James Strmiska, Jr. Brian Beckwith, Jr. Chase Derusha, Jr. Kyle Craig, Jr. Chris Helminski, Jr. Zac James, Jr. Mark Mackin, Jr. Ryan Lincoln, So. Adam Rock, So. Silas Conrad, So. Jermaine Frazer-Phillips.

Top newcomers: Sr. Alex Elkins, Sr. Cameron McCormack, So. Beau Houtchanthara, Fr. Tyler Longolucco, Fr. Zane Peterson.

Outlook: The defending division champion Wolverines always seem to be strong in the distance events, and that tradition will continue this season. Choiniere and Strmiska were sixth and seventh, respectively, in the 1,600 at Class M last spring. "(We have) some other strong athletes in the field, hurdles and sprints," Bruno said. "We hope all the newcomers progress well so that we can fill the holes lost from last year and contend for the Small Division title again this year."

LYMAN MEMORIAL

Coach: Bill Beckwith (1st season)

Key returnees: Sr. Dan Fields, Sr. Dan Shenkle, Sr. Kyle Shaw, Sr. Mike Roy, Sr. A.J. Chalifoux.

Outlook: The Bulldogs' strength will be distances and relays, anchored by Fields, The Day's Cross Country Runner of the Year in the fall. Chalifoux will lead the throwers as Lyman hopes to improve on last season's mark.

ST. BERNARD

Coach: Brad Columbus (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. Sean Hanrahan, Sr. Ryan Gazlay, So. Alex Davis.

Top newcomers: Sr. Paul Steinhagen, Jr. Bobby Daley, Fr. Charlie Rose.

Outlook: The program lost a strong core from a season ago, but has already begun to rebuild. Hanrahan will lead the distance crew, with Steinhagen adding some depth, while Gazlay will compete as a multi-event athlete.

Others

GRASSO TECH

Coach: Jeremy Beebe (6th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Byrne Ewen, Sr. Dalton Maurice, Sr. Xavier Quinones, Sr. Keegan Watson, So. Ralph Abbott, So. Conrad Beebe, So. Dante Stewart.

Top newcomers: So. Ben Carter, Fr. Jacob Bergeson.

Outlook: Beebe thinks he has some state-level performers in distance and throws this year, so the sprinters will have to step up. The coach is happy with the way his athletes have prepared for the season.

Girls / Eastern Connecticut Conference

Large Division

EAST LYME

Coach: Carl Reichard (24th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Whitney Allen, Sr. Lexi Banker, Sr. Kate Boucher, So. Eva Christensen, So. Amanda Demaio, Sr. Amy Gonslaves, Sr. Lauren Kirschblum, Sr. Samantha Lyall, Sr. Rachel Merry, Jr. Jane Martinez, Jr. Anika Pallan, So. Megan Stoddard.

Top newcomers: Jr. Noelene Power, Fr. Chelsea Stevens, Fr. Sarah Van Alsten.

Outlook: The Vikings have good numbers and resulting depth as well as a good mix of returnees and newcomers. They should be competitive in the ECC Large Division and in Class MM.

FITCH

Coach: Shawn Towne (21st season)

Key returnees: Sr. Sam Kiely, Jr. Brandy LeClair, Jr. Destiny Frederick, Jr. Renee Harms, So. Dyshelle Pemberton, So. Christina Szczesny, So. McKenzie Umrysz.

Top newcomers: So. Lexis Foster, Fr. Sarah Kate Parizo, Fr. Sarah Dinovelli.

Outlook: Fitch hopes to improve on last year's 5-2 mark and be able to challenge East Lyme and NFA in the Large Division. The Falcons have a nice mix and should be able to get points in many events. Pemberton is an up-and-coming sprinter, while Kiely and LeClair anchor the distance crew.

LEDYARD

Coach: David Tetlow (39th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Jamie Burton, Sr. Nikki Campbell, Sr. Montana Grindstaff, Sr. Naomi Hutchins, Sr. Darien Lopez, Sr. Stacey Miner, Jr. Lindsey Ackley, Jr. Kaylyn Bruciati, Jr. Brittney Humphreys, Jr. Emily Loy, Jr. Cedar Nelson, Jr. Ashleigh Scahill, So. Kylie Fustini, So. Shannon Lozier, So. Minnie Zhang.

Top newcomers: Sr. Natasha Griffith, Sr. Ally Loy, Jr. Kelsey Nixon, So. Sydney Davies, So. Laurel Holubecki, Fr. Ari Fustini, Fr. Austin Graber, Fr. Genaya Loftis, Fr. Lauren Scahill, Fr. Chenoa Sebastian, Fr. Allison Sinnett, Fr. Justine Wheeler.

Outlook: The Colonels were conference runners-up last spring and placed third at the Class M meet, and they have the talent to match those performances. Loy placed second and fourth, respectively, in the 200 and 100 at Class M. Also at that meet, Nelson was third in the 3,200, Ackley was fifth in the 1,600 and Bruciati was sixth in the 100. Griffith had a successful indoor season in which she was the State Open runner-up in the shot put.

NFA

Coach: Kara Kochanski-Vendola (8th season)

Key returnees: Yana Babbitt, Wahnetah Carty, Meredyth Joly, Diane Calitri, Adrianna Velazquez, Brianna Lenehan, Elisa DeCastro, Katie Holdridge, Rosa Estrella, Jessie Bodington, Nicole Lorinsky, Allison Sullivan, Grace Perkins, Lindsay Fisher, Rebecca Smolenski, Anna Kudej, Erin Schaeffer, Kassandra Plourde, Keonna Gantt.

Top newcomers: Camille McKenzie, Brianna McClafferty, Mialynne Park, Brittany Grabill.

Outlook: Coming off a third-place finish at Class LL last spring, NFA lost some of the best track athletes in the state, but they return enough to again make another run at the Large Division title. Carty, Lenehan, Sullivan and Velazquez are among many returning point-getters at the Class LL meet and the Wildcats are integrating some newcomers from indoor into what they hope will be another successful season.

WATERFORD

Coach: Mike Ellis (5th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Elizabeth Bashir, Sr. Rachelle Aekins, Sr. Brooke Tomasetti, Sr. Cristina Turley, Jr. Rachel Corcoran, Jr. Jamie Baxter.

Top newcomers: Jr. Becca Rogers, Jr. Shannon Rogers, So. Christine Bueno, So. Danielle Hardy, So. Danielle Lankerd, So. Sara-Caitrin Mandelburg.

Outlook: Bashir, the two-time Class MM discus champion, leads a solid group of seniors who qualified for ;ast year's state meet. Waterford should be solid in sprints and jumps, but distance might be a question early on.

Medium Division

BACON ACADEMY

Coach: Christine Taylor (10th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Chelsea Ahmed, Sr. Kelly Dixon, Sr. Mary Hackbarth, Sr. Kelsey Hall, Sr. Sharifa Lowen, Sr. Allison Schneller, Sr. Heahre Tirrell, Sr. Lizzie Weinick, Sr. Melissa Zablonksi, Jr. Jillian Barrack, Jr. Abbey Tedford, So. Kelly Brice, So. Brittany Noonan, So. Charisse Townsend, So. Amanda Weinberger.

Top newcomers: Fr. Sierra Cameron, Fr. Katie Stevens, Fr. Alicia Szostak.

Outlook: Bacon lost key athletes from last season's team but have gained excellent newcomers with good work ethics. Taylor is hopeful she can help devolop some of the younger athletes this season, but needs the seniors and juniors to step up and fill in the gaps in order to be contenders in the divison. "Time will tell," said Taylor.

MONTVILLE

Coach: Joel Finnegan (9th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Mandy Joyce, Sr. Ellen McNamara, Sr. Megan Podeszwa, Sr. Bri Rice, Sr. Ashley Sgandurra, Sr. Rachael Skinner, Sr. Ciara Utz, Sr. Colby McAdams, Jr. Amanda Giroux, Jr. Lauren Hess, Jr. Shatajah Wattely, So. Natalie Bowens, So. Sonja Campbell, So. Alanna Lopes, So. Jen McNamara.

Top newcomers: Sr. Sonja Baulecke, Sr. Allie Clark. Sr.

Stephanie Jones. Fr. Abby McAdams.

Outlook: The Indians are short on depth but long on talent. Joyce, Rice and Skinner lead a senior class that has never lost a divisional meet. Montville also has one of the state's top middle distance runners in Wattley (second, 200, Class M and third, 400, State Open). Giroux and Hess will be relied on in multiple events, and Bowens, who placed eighth in the 400 at Class M last season, could have a breakout season.

NEW LONDON

Coach: Bob Castronova (2nd season)

Key returnees: Sr. Jade Bland-Allen, Jr. Yasmeen Ahmad, Jr. Tesla Delcid, Jr. Nicole Arias, Jr. Laura Bonneau.

Top newcomers: Sr. Alivia Royal, Jr. Jessica Fort, Jr. Samantha Lake, Jr. Tatiana Smith, So. Patricia Poitras.

Outlook: Interest in the program continues to grow as the Whalers have 35 athletes, nearly double last year's roster (19). New London hopes to be competitive during the dual-meet season and have as many girls qualify for Class M as possible.

Small Division

GRISWOLD

Coach: Chris Morth (7th season)

Key returnees: Sr. Morgan Parrette, Sr. Stephanie Messier, Sr. Tessa Velasquez, Jr. Dayna Hedman, Jr. Jenna Korenkewicz, Jr. Anne-Marie Gagne, So. Brittany Schaffer, So. Chelsea Camacho, So. Abby Slonski, So. Jillian Barry, So. Kendall McGrath, So. Krystn Larose.

Top newcomers: So. Jazlin Mills, So. Jamie Lavallie, So. Lindsay Grab, So. Morgan Riley, So. Ashley Harris, Fr. Alyssa Brehler.

Outlook: Yet another team that features quality over quantity. Velasquez is the Class M javelin champion and will be pushed by Hedman and Slonski. Parrette has been runner-up in the high jump the last three seasons and hopes to graduate with a state title. Baker finished fifth in the 300 hurdles and triple jump. Messier was a double champion (1,600 and 3,200) at the ECC Small/Medium meet this winter.

LYMAN MEMORIAL

Coach: Jessica London Castillo (3rd season)

Key returnees: Sr. Mara Anderson, Sr. Kelsey Labas, Sr. Chantal Fauteux, Jr. Lindsey Arigno, Jr. Lindsey Moon.

Top newcomers: So. Elise Palcious, Fr. Brenna Anderson.

Outlook: Castillo expects the Bulldogs to compete for the Small Division title, while qualifying girls for the Class S meet. She also expects Labas to compete for the Class S javelin crown after a fourth-place finish last season, and for Anderson to break the school 400 record.

ST. BERNARD

Coach: Susan Griffin (30th season)

Key returnees: Jr. Kyra Coughlin, Jr. Mary Sedensky, So. Jen Ericson, So. Cherri Williams.

Top newcomers: Sr. Anna Savitsky, Jr. Allison Londregan, Jr. Rebecca Baldasty, Fr. Brittany Walenta, Fr. Mackenzie Nagy, Fr. Allison Regan.

Outlook: The Saints have added depth from last season with a strong group of newcomers. Coughlin should be one of the top runners in the division, while Londregan and Baldasty are coming off solid indoor seasons.