Loryn Canty races to the finish of the dash during a recent meet in Boston. PHOTO/CAROLYN JOHNSON

The Hopkinton High School girls indoor track and field team had little time to ease into the 2023-24 season. The Hillers had a dual meet within the first two weeks of starting practice and another one the week after that.

“They came at us fast and furious at the beginning,” coach Jean Cann said.

Despite the rapid-fire competitions, Hopkinton turned the page from 2023 to calendar 2024 without a loss, which Cann said is necessary for the Hillers to achieve their goals.

“We always shoot to win the Tri-Valley League, both the regular season and the showcase meet,” Cann said. “And, pretty much every year, that requires being undefeated.”

Cann is also hopeful that her team can have a strong showing in the competitive Division 2 statewide meet and get as many people to the all-state meet — dubbed the Meet of Champions — as possible.

The Hillers have a number of strong candidates for those distinctions after three victories to start the year against Ashland, Norwood and Medfield.

Loryn Canty was the team MVP last season, her first as a member of the track and field program. She scored early-season victories this year in the shot put and the dash, including a personal best in the latter event.

“She has also been great with the younger sprinters,” Cann said.

Junior Josie Hopkins is perhaps the team’s most versatile athlete.

“We can put her in anything,” Cann said. “She can do the high jump, the long jump, the dash, the 300. I think she has done six different events and she’s picked up a couple of wins and a couple of second-place finishes.”

Senior Kiley Locke has been strong in the hurdles and the high jump and is part of a winning 4×400 relay team. Stephanie Johnson is a strong middle distance runner, and Elyse Srodawa figures to be one of the top distance runners in the TVL.

“She can pretty much take on anyone in the league,” Cann said.

Bridgid Cavanaugh is another skilled distance runner, and Hopkinton also has gotten a surprise lift with the addition of Italian exchange student Alice (pronounced uh-lee-chay) Brambati.

“She has some experience with jumps, but she had not done them for a few years,” Cann said. “She has our best mark in the long jump and is one of our best high jumpers and hurdlers already.”

In addition to all of the talented returners, Hopkinton has a group of freshmen who have come in and immediately shown dedication to the program, Cann said.

“They were at the school during winter break and staying late,” she said. “They compete with each other in a good way, they are always pushing each other to do more. We are happy to have that crew.”