The Dream Came True

Coach Taylor had high hopes for the 2013-2014 season after losing the title by one loss last season. He believed in the team from the very start, and strongly believed that this was the best team that Norton ever had. His goal was to win the first ever TVL Championship for the first time in school history, and that wish came true this season.

The Norton Boys Track team was the team that had the most depth. Every team in the league feared them, and the teams we had to beat was Hopkinton and Westwood. Hopkinton was the team to beat this season, and Westwood was the one meet we had to win for Coach Taylor. In each event, there were a number of runners who could place in the top 3 to get points for Norton. Even our throwing team was very strong, and could compete with every team in the league. There was no one weakness in the team, but it all came down to the confidence of team. With each and every run, the confidence of the team grew drastically, and showed no sign of stopping.

On the track team, there were many runners who led the team to victory. The Senior Captains were Kevin O’Leary, Billy Sullivan, Brandon Durocher, and Max Marcotte. All of these captains led the team, and were supported by everyone. Kevin O’Leary was a very versatile athlete, and could sprint, high jump, and throw very well. He led the seniors with a total of 85 varsity points for the season. He broke a school record, which was jumping over the high jump bar at 5’ 11” at the MSTCA State Coaches Meet. During the meet against Hopkinton, he placed first in shot put and high jump, and placed 3^rd in the 45 meter dash. Billy Sullivan led the way in the mile and two mile during the season. During the meet against Hopkinton, Billy placed first in the mile. Brandon Durocher was one of the best hurdlers in the league entering the season. He showed this in the meet against Hopkinton as he got 3^rd in the 45 meter hurdles. Max Marcotte was one of the most feared runners in the mile, and took the opportunity to show everyone in the meet against Hopkinton. During this meet, he came in 2^nd in the one mile. In each event, there were other runners who gave it their all, and helped get the victory.  Justin Ireland, a sophomore, placed 1^st overall in the 600 meter, and 2^nd in the 55 meter. Mike Tiereny, a junior, placed 1^st in the 600 meter and the 4x400, and 3^rd in high jump. Chris Wrenn, a sophomore, placed first in the 1000 meter and in the 4x400. Cam Stalters, a junior, placed 1^st in the 45 hurdles. Parker Cleathero, a sophomore, placed 2^nd in the 600 meters. At the end of the meet the score was 62-24 with Norton coming out on top. This was the biggest meet of the season, and the team gave it their all. This moment represented what everyone was working towards, and Coach Taylor could not be any happier with the results. He was filled with joy inside, and could not contain his emotions.  Everyone was ecstatic about the victory, and could not believe that they had won their first ever TVL Championship.

After the regular season came to a close, some athletes qualified for the TVL Conference Meet which was on February 2, 2014. Norton finished 2^nd with seventy points, only seven points behind Medfield.  Billy Sullivan finished fourth in the mile, and broke the school record by a gigantic six seconds as he ran a 4:32.65. Billy came in 4^th place in the one mile. Max Marcotte broke the record set by himself in the 1000 meter by running a 2:39.50, and came in 2^nd place. His original school record was a 2:40. Mike Tiereny broke the 600 meter record by running a 1:25.55, and came in first in the event. The next meet that some of the athletes would attend was the Division 4 State Championships.The Division 4 State Championships was held on February 16, 2014. Brandon Durocher had an amazing jump of 5’ 10” which was a new personal best. Max Marcotte placed 7^th overall in the 100 meters with a 2: 39.08 which was a new school record again. Billy Sullivan placed 6^th in the one mile race, and was very happy to be done running. Norton got 10.5 points during the meet, and finished 17^th overall.

The expectations going into the season was to try to get the first TVL Championship title. With all of the hard work, the dream soon became a living reality. With every win, Coach Taylor became happier with the results, and the amount of effort that everyone was putting in. This was the season to remember, and will never be forgotten. No team had gotten 20 points close to Norton in each regular season meet. Coach Taylor could not have asked for a better season, and a better group of students. Now the focus is to try to be the TVL Champions in spring in order to sweep for the year. Going forward, everything seems to only be getting better for the track team.