Staff Writer

Track and field season is sprinting upon Scarborough High School.

Both the girls’ and boys’ track and field teams are preparing for the upcoming season. 

Last year’s spring track season was highlighted by the girls’ team winning their third consecutive Class A state championship, with the boys’ team having an undefeated regular season record, as well as third place finishes at both the Southwestern Maine Activities Association (SMAA) championships and the state championship meet.

Girls’ track and field coach Ron Kelly, who will begin his 38th season coaching in the school district this season, said he attributes the team’s success to off-season work.

“We’ve had a summer program since 1980,” Kelly said. “We also have one of the best coaching staffs in the state, and [the team] works hard.”

Kelly said some of his top returning runners will be sophomore Abby Chick and senior Whitney Chamberlain, who both participate in the 800-meter event and both the 4-by-400 and 4-by-800 relay teams. Other top runners are freshman Nicole Kirk sophomore and Rochelle Green, who both participate in the sprint and relay events, and junior Jenny Snyder, who runs on the 4-by-400 relay team.

Kelly said he expects Edward Little will be the team to beat for the upcoming season. He said he also anticipates an improved Bonny Eagle team. Brunswick might also be in the mix to challenge Scarborough for the Class A title, he said.

The girls’ first meet is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. April 28 at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland against Noble, Portland and Thornton Academy.

For the boys’ track and field team, coach Derek Veilleux, now in his sixth season, said he will rely on the experience of returning runners to lead the team to the state championship.

“I like to say we’ll get better every day,” Veilleux said. “We set getting better by the end of the season as a goal.”

Veilleux said some of his top returning runners will be senior Sam Chick, who won an individual state championship title in the 800-meter event last season, senior pole vaulter Brad Nakanishi, senior shot putter Brian Woodbury, senior discus thrower Eddie Manning, and senior Craig Robinson and junior Nate Hathaway, who both participate in distance running events.

Veilleux said Thornton Academy will be the team to beat on the boys’ side, as they won the Class A state championship last season. 

He said Bonny Eagle will give the team a challenge, as Veilleux said the two teams “battled” to place at last year’s SMAA championships. 

He said Chevrus will also be a good matchup for the Red Storm, as Veilleux said the two teams match each other skill-wise in distance competitions, an event in which Scarborough excels, he said.

Veilleux said as teams prepare for the season in cold weather, steps are taken to prevent injury, including not allowing the team to run quick sprints.

“I hope a lot of the kids come [into the preseason] in shape,” he said. 

The first scheduled boys’ track and field meet is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. April 29 in Scarborough. 

The Red Storm will compete against Noble, Portland and Thornton Academy.