Freshmen, sophomores hold key to future track success
By Ken Powers Community Reporter

Marlborough - Although the Marlborough High boys indoor track team won just one meet this year, first-year coach Emily Welton is encouraged by the hard work and dedication of some of the younger members of the team.

"As the season went along, things started to straighten out and the kids started to understand what my expectations were and I noticed more and more of the younger kids on the team had an awful lot of talent," Welton said. "If we can just get them to focus on what it takes to get better, I think they'll see they can have a real impact on the success of the program."

Welton knows of what she speaks. In 1999, she graduated from Marlborough High, where she was a member of the track team. She also competed in track and field in college at the University of Maine and at Worcester State College. Welton has returned to her alma mater as a history teacher as well as a track coach.

Senior Andrew Oram has had a fine season for the Panthers. He recently qualified to compete in the state competition in the 1,000, thanks to a 2:45 clocking when he competed in the State Coaches Association Meet at the Reggie Lewis Center Feb. 2.

Freshmen that Welton has high hopes for include Kyle McKinnon, Nate Schmidlein, Josh Semedo, Alex Kunycky, Joe Cote and Ryan Morgello.

"Kyle has a ton of potential," Welton said. "He's very fast, has an unbelievable stride and he can compete in just about anything - the 300, the 400, the 800, the 800-meter relay, the 1,600-meter relay. Nate is a high jumper and a hurdler and at the end of the season he really came on. He got his steps down; he has a really good arch; he has great form going over the bar; he lifted all season. He really made a lot of progress during the season."

Semedo is also a high jumper, while Kunycky runs the mile and two-mile and is a member of a couple of relay teams. Cote is a sprinter; Morgello runs the 300.

"They're a great bunch, those freshmen," Welton said. "They've got lots of personality. They're just a bunch of goofballs who work hard in practice."

Sophomores who have the potential to be major contributors to the Panthers' chances in future seasons include Adrian DeJesus , Brian Rodrigues and Karl Chung.

"Adrian ran a personal best of 7.1 in the 55-meter dash and one time when he competed in a relay for us he ran a 60-second 400," Welton said. "I'd like to see him run the 400 in outdoor track. I think he could have a lot of success doing that."

Welton said Rodrigues had the same impact in the 55-meter hurdles that DeJesus had in the sprints.

"Brian was one of our fastest runners all season, and especially in the 55 hurdles," Welton said. "He placed for us in several meets."

Seniors who contributed for the Panthers included Adam Charbonneau, Brian Hasbrouck, Jason Gallant, Jon Laman and Visili Regan.