Small MHS Girls Track building program in 2024 Young squad is looking to develop talent
Senior Caleigh Wilson is a strong contributor in multiple events including the dash and relays. Photo credit: Benjamin Zou
By Chris Villani
In track and field, the size of a roster is a critical component to dual meet success. In addition to having high-end talent, teams need to fill out each event and have the depth needed to score points for second and third place. It is in the latter category that the Milford High girls’ track team comes up a bit short, but coach Dan Gordon said the relatively small squad is more than making the most of this season.
One of only four seniors, Milford will look to Katarina Ferriera for leadership this spring. Photo credit: Benjamin Zou
“We want to just develop, develop, develop,” Gordon said, summing up the Scarlet Hawks’ goals for the year. “Find out what people are good at, find creative ways to win events, and keep recruiting numbers.”
Having more athletes not only helps in meets, but it also makes practices more competitive. Some of MHS’ newer athletes have taken on a role of pushing their older teammates during training.
“We have had some freshmen really step up and surprise us with how much they are willing to try and how hard they are willing to work,” said Gordon, who is coaching the team with Milford High Athletic Director Peter Boucher. “A lot of them did not do track in middle school and do not have traditional backgrounds in the sport.”
The Milford roster includes 17 freshmen, more than any other class.
Gordon added, “They compete hard, and we have had a few people who are turning into really good runners.”
Junior Julianys Rentas had already qualified for the Division III state meet in the low hurdles before the month of April was over with a time of 73 seconds, good enough for the seventh best time in the state.
“For her to be in the top-10 right away is pretty incredible,” Gordon said.
Senior Caleigh Wilson is a steady contributor in both the dash and the relays, and Gordon described her as “very dependable and reliable.” MHS’ top thrower is fellow senior Jazlyn Martinez, who is also a sprinter. Two more seniors, Tatiana Chaplin and Katarina Ferreira, are providing steady leadership.
Gordon said the plan is to continue to develop this year with an eye towards improving and hopefully bringing more girls into the program to add the depth MHS needs to compete in the perennially strong Hockomock League.
“We are making some substantial strides,” he said. “We are behind some of the other programs in the Hock, but we are working towards getting there.”
