Numbers are down for the Athol girls indoor track and field team, but the talent is there and some newcomers could provide some points this season.
Athol was 6-7 last season with a 5-1 record in the Valley South league.
“They are going to have to do well in every event to replicate what they did last year,” Athol coach David St. Jean said. “I think they can do it. Individually I should have some qualifiers from that group.”
The Red Raiders will look to upperclassmen Shelby Mailloux and Grace Dufour in a number of events.
“They both have some speed,” St. Jean said. “We just have to see if they can get over that next hump.”
Mailloux is a middle distance runner and specializes in the 1,000-meter run. She came close to the school record at times last season.
Dufour is especially versatile participating in any event from the 300 up to the mile.
“She’s probably strongest now in the mile,” St. Jean said. “But she does have the speed to run the sprints.”
The relay team, which had a lot of success last year, will need to replace Crista Jillson. The relay should consist of Dufour, Mailloux, Emily England and freshman Sadey Lehtomaki.
“She’s (Lehtomaki) pretty fast,” St. Jean said. “She was young last year and new at it. There were some times where you could see that she was anxious and nervous. But she grew into it.”
Kassidy Swan is an exceptional distance runner from the outdoor team who was heavily recruited by St. Jean.
“If she keeps with it until her senior year she will have distance records here,” St. Jean said.
Madelyn Robinson showed some success last year in throwing events and will continue in that role. Also throwing for the Red Raiders will be Lexi Forte.
The Red Raiders first meet is against Baystate Academy at 3:45 p.m. at Smith College in Northampton on Dec. 7.
