By Chris Villani

Sports Writer

Last season, Milford took a van full of girls to the state track meet during the winter season. This year, the team and head coach Dan Gordon set a new goal: take a bus to the title meet.

“Fortunately, we have managed to qualify enough athletes that we will need a bus,” Gordon said. “You can only fit so many people in a van.”

The Scarlet Hawks have a relatively small roster this winter with only 25 girls on the team. But Milford still managed a win and a tie during the dual meet campaign while competing in the always-challenging Hockomock League. 

“You don’t want to see a tie, but it’s better than a loss,” Gordon said. “We had a massive improvement considering the personnel we lost to graduation and how few members of the team we have now.”

What MHS lacks in depth, it makes up for with top-end talent. Kiyanni Simas has continued a dominant career that has seen her capture multiple state titles. The sprinter battled through injury during the first half of the season, but still placed second ad the New England invitational in the 55-meter dash and her time is tops in the Hockomock and one of the best in the state this winter.

Simas is heading to Rutgers next year and is one of two Milford athletes who will continue their track careers at the Division I collegiate level. Fellow captain Sydney Kalil is committed to Stonehill and is one of the top runners in the state this winter in the two-mile.

“She was a Hockomock all-star in cross country and we are hoping she can secure another all-star award this winter,” Gordon said. 

The 4x200 relay team consisting of Simas, Kaylee Whitney, Gabrielle Peniche, and Evalysse Pierce qualified for states and Pierce, a junior captain, also earned a spot at states in the dash.

Kay Wheelock is another captain who has been a versatile athlete for the Scarlet Hawks, competing in the 300, the 600, the high jump, and pitching in on the relays and hurdles when needed.

“She certainly has been instrumental in the success we have had this year,” Gordon said. 

Peniche, who is also a captain, had her own individual success as the team’s top 300 runner all season and the second best long jumper.

“Our five captains are leading the charge and scoring the most points,” Gordon said. “It’s been a tremendous season for the five of them.”

Simas and Kalil will be among the favorites to compete for league titles in their respective events and the 4x200 relay team is expected to compete at states. Gordon said the bar is set high for his top athletes.

“I think we can see some more people qualify for the all-state meet this year,” he said. “And we definitely have a chance to get some runners to the national meet."