Newton North/South Track Teams to Compete Together?

Almost a year ago, the Newton North track and athletic fields were torn up to clear the area for the construction of the new Newton North H.S. project. However, that project has been delayed and is facing increased costs.

It now seems possible that one consequence of the ongoing project costs would be the creation of a joint Newton North/Newton South track team. According to the Newton Tab, the idea has been discussed by the Newton School Committee and has received serious consideration from the Mayor's office.

Newton South currently has a track, but Newton North does not, and will not have a track for several years. Already the team has to be bused to practices and will have no home meets.

The MIAA might raise objections to the plan, particularly because a combined Newton North/Newton South team would draw on a student population of over 4000 students. However, both schools currently compete in Division 1, which includes Brockton with an enrollment of 5000.

I haven't been able to figure out whether the combined team would compete in the Bay State League or the Dual County League. I talked to Lincoln-Sudbury coach Mel Gonsalves, who summed up his feelings about facing the powerhouse Newton team by saying "Bring it on!" According to a BSC coach who preferred to remain anonymous, apparently Weymouth and Braintree are considering a merger of their teams so that they can continue to compete with Newton.

One obvious problem is what would happen to the current coaching staffs from the two schools. One proposal mentioned by the Tab is to keep the current personnel, but specialize. For example, one coach might handle the jumps, another the throwing events, another the sprints and hurdles, etc. With more coaches, the team is also considering adding the pole vault as a supported event for the first time since the 1990's.

While most of the people I talked to are in favor of the plan, Jim Blackburn, at least, felt it was a bad idea. He told me that merging the two teams would mean more bureaucracy, more meetings, and more hassle. On the other hand, he did feel that absorbing South's distance crew would improve the combined team's 4x800 relay. "It wouldn't help us in the long or triple jump, though," he said.