Indoor track eyes Nationals following championship season

Sophomore Claire Fortin and junior Rajani Conyers are both among several co-captains of this year’s indoor track and field team, which they called an inclusive and welcoming athletic space. “There are no cuts; anyone can race,” Fortin said, encouraging others to join the team. 

Head Coach David Thompson shares this idealism with his athletes, noting that you can only “cut yourself by not showing up.”

Fortin said there are many standout athletes, including Ella Austin (a captain) and Ololara Baptiste (another captain). Conyers also named Baptiste, whom he said is “always working hard,” and junior Justin De Alba, a thrower. 

Thompson sees potential in all of his athletes, but there are a few he believes stand out due to their hardworking nature and notably incredible performances. He lauded senior Nico Lisle (a captain), senior Owen Platt (a captain), senior Daniel Nuñez Saravia, senior Kyrief Johnson, junior Austin, junior Baptiste, sophomore Maeve Fitzgerald, sophomore Fortin, and sophomore Juliana Albo.

They are captains due to their aptitude as leaders, their adaptability, and their extreme work ethic. As captains, they lead warm-up, stretches, and even practice if the coach is not in attendance. “They are always willing to work; sometimes it might be hard, but they still go out and do it, they lead by example.” Said Thompson

“Ella and Ololara went to Nike Outdoor Nationals in 2024, and Ololara and I went to New Balance Indoor Nationals and Nike Outdoor Nationals last year,” Fortin said. “Ololara is a three-time All-American, and I am a two-time All-American.”

Fortin also said that Albo, a multi-athlete who competes in jumps, throws, sprints, hurdles, and Maeve Fitzgerald, who competes in jumps and sprints, are also remarkable athletes she expects to see big things from this year.

The coaching staff for indoor track and field includes Sarah Hickman for throws, Bob Rosen for distance and middle distance, Scott Garman for high jump, and finally the head coach, David Thompson, who specializes in sprinting and jumps (long and triple). 

Each coach in their respective specialization teaches the fundamentals and mechanics of track and/or field events. The coaches are very skilled and use their knowledge and experience to push the boundaries of each athlete on the team. Excellence is the standard. “Both coaches give athletes lots of opportunities to excel and be the best we can be,” said Fortin.

After school at 4:00 p.m., the team meets in the weight room before either running sprint drills up the stairs in the Tech Ed Hallway or doing sprints in the English Hallway. Then the team does a lift in the weight room.

On any given day of the week, you can expect sprinters to be doing hallway sprints, stairs when it’s cold or raining, and outdoor workouts such as hill sprints if it’s not too cold, followed by a lift every day. 

Distance runners’ training regimen is slightly different yet proposes the same intensity: two workouts a week, one with longer distances and one with shorter ones. Otherwise, they run 3-6 miles.

Fortin hopes the team can get to Nationals again this year, “since it was an amazing experience and really put Amherst Track on the national radar.” Although this may seem like a high bar, this is not out of the realm of possibility based on the amount of time and effort the athletes are devoting to the sport. Thompson also strives to get as many athletes as possible to Nationals, but his hope for the season is to “Have everyone improve, and to not come out the way they came in.”

Last outdoor season, the girls team was undefeated, winning Western Mass and Division 3 States as well, with some girls moving on to compete at Nike Outdoor Nationals or New Balance Outdoor Nationals (NON). 

The 4×1 and 4×4 relays were a force to be reckoned with, competing and dominating every track and finishing top 5 at NON for the 4×4. 

Fortin wants everyone to know not to “count us out.” While a lot of the teams’ top-performing runners graduated last year, “we are still a good team and are prepared to have a good indoor season,” she said.

The most important meets are yet to come: Western Mass, Divisionals, States, New Englands, and Nationals, held mostly in Boston.

Fortin loves the community that track provides and nurtures, since it’s such a large-scale sport. She said athletes get the opportunity to meet lots of people, even on other teams, and since they race them every week, they really get to know them. “It’s fun to see the same teams and athletes get better at the same time and celebrate even the smallest PRs with them,” she said. 

As for what’s ahead? Fortin plans to “work hard all season,” yet also take care of her body and avoid overworking herself before the important meets.