Hopkinton High School boys indoor track and field coach Mike Donahue is not sure he has seen a better team than the one he has this year. Just days into the new year, the Hillers already had locked up the Tri-Valley League title with a string of lopsided victories and are hoping to compete at the state level as well.
The Hillers showcased their talent and depth during the MTSCA Kalperis Relays in mid-January, finishing first overall and establishing themselves as one of the favorites for the Division 2 state title. The Hillers’ total of 54.5 points left them nearly 10 points clear of second-place North Andover, and more than 20 points ahead of third-place Woburn.
“This is probably the best team we have ever had since I have been here,” Donahue said. “We have a really strong group of seniors, and we’ve handled the competition pretty comfortably.”
Driving the Hillers’ success this winter is the team’s depth. Nowhere is that more evident than in the hurdles, where Hopkinton may have one of the best crews in the nation. Harry Millar, Jacob Logan, Max Keeler and Braden Lu are the top four hurdlers in the TVL.
“This hurdle group is going to compete in the nationals in the hurdle relay, they have a chance to win,” Donahue said. “This is as strong a group as we have ever had.”
Hopkinton also has a pair of strong sprinters in Iago Ferreira and Ian Weilding, the latter of whom Donahue said probably is the team’s strongest sophomore.
“He is an exceptional talent, and he is fast,” the coach said.
Senior captain Jack Knutson is among the top middle distance runners in the TVL and figures to be a factor in both individual races and the Hillers’ 4×400 and 4×200 relay teams. The Hopkinton distance crew has been paced by Matt Fitzgibbons and Darian Leo.
Hopkinton is strong in the field events as well. Ryan Morin is the top shot putter in the TVL. The Hillers also have several strong long jumpers, including Mason Barros and Daniel Jun, along with Logan and Lu. Barros and Logan also lead the way in the high jump, and Donahue said Logan is probably the strongest junior on the roster “across the board.”
With talented athletes in so many events, Hopkinton is setting a high bar for the rest of the campaign.
“Our main goal is that we want to be a good team, work hard and see where we can go,” Donahue said. “With this group, we can push a little harder. Our goals can be a little more lofty.”
Donahue admitted he does not know enough about the rest of the Division 2 competition to know for sure whether his team can compete with the best in the state. But the fact that Hopkinton does not only rely on its stars should help the cause.
“We are good at developing our talent and pulling guys up, our second group is really strong,” Donahue said. “What we want is to develop a culture where they believe they can be as good as the guys they see compete at the highest level, and that’s what has happened with this team.”
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