After a season brimming with promise, the Fishermen indoor track team proved their strengths after beating Winthrop on Monday, January 23, and will face Saugus tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. in Danvers.

“The boys and the girls can both finish the season 4-3,” said head coach Dave Coleman. “The girls have a good chance against Saugus.”

Even though the first meet of the season against Salem was Gloucester’s first collective win, both the boys and girls teams have faced tough competitors since then, including their rival Marblehead, and have shown growth and talent throughout the season.

Although the boys team may not be the best in the conference, the team’s strong sprinting squad, middle distance squad, and  “everyone who consistently shows up, works hard, and always willingly puts in their best effort,” according to senior captain Jacob Belcher, have shown the team’s strengths. 

The girls current record stands at 2-3, and they have a strong sprint and middle distance core, as well as reliable high jumper and hurdlers.

“Our conference is challenging but we are doing great with every meet,” said senior captain Sierra Rudolph. “We have a small team so we have to strategize to get the best results, but when we win we take it in then start over again for the next meet.”

However, both teams suffer from smaller numbers and lack of depth.

The boys and girls are both lacking on the distance squad. For the girls, Aidan Cunningham (So.) and Carly Curcuru (Sr.) are the only returning runners.

For the boys, juniors Liam Wilber, Henry Hardy, Taylor Lawrason, and Kory Hurd make up more than half of the distance squad.

Both teams have some of the best athletes in the conference, despite the low numbers and lackluster record.

On the boys team, 55 meter dash runner Christian Sanfilippo (Sr.), 300 meter dash runner Jacob Belcher(Sr.), and 1000 meter runner Chris MacDonald (Jr.) have shined in the conference this year.

Other performances by Kyle Manly (Sr.) in the two mile and first season hurdler Andrew Topouzoglou (Frosh.) have also benefited Gloucester this season.

Among the girls’ team, Sierra Rudolph (Sr.) in the 55 meter dash Kaitlin Marques (Jr.) in the hurdles, and Leah Rudolph (So.) in the 600, have been stand out track athletes in the conference. Lillie Favazza (Frosh.) and Julia Kuhns (So.), have also been critical contributors to the team’s success in the high jump.

There are still several dual meets and the North Eastern Conference Championship meet to come, so the season still has a lot in store for the Fishermen.