Sophomore Charlie Bardenheuer, co-captain of the boys varsity tennis team, returns a serve against his Groton-Dunstable opponent, April 24. The boys varsity tennis team lost the match 4–1. Bardenheuer plays first singles. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
The Bromfield track and field team began its season March 20, with nearly 70 runners making their way to the Bromfield gym to begin warmups. As the warmer weather arrives in Harvard, the team will be at the McCurdy Track daily. Dave Boisvert has been the head coach for 12 years, with Jonathan Route joining in 2013. The newest coach, Chris Bourque, begins his Bromfield coaching career in 2017. Bourque focuses on field events including discus, javelin, and pole vault. The boys team finished fifth out of seven teams in the Midland Wachusett D division during the 2016 spring track season. The boys track and field team looks to improve upon its 2–5 record from last year with leadership from senior captains Jamie Barrett, Paul Chapman, Tristan Cronin, and Will Day. The girls team finished first (6–0) out of seven high schools for the second year in a row, proving dominance in the Midland Wachusett D division. The girls hope to continue their winning streak in the 2017 spring season.
Senior captain Paul Chapman has been running cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track with Bromfield since the seventh grade, missing just one season due to basketball, totalling 17 seasons. As captain, Chapman must act as a role model for the team members and be responsible for them. He is also a friend to the boys and must find a balance between the two during the season. At times it can be difficult, but so far, Chapman has been able to find the middle ground and fulfill the role. When asked why he chose running, he said, “I was a pretty small kid then, so it seemed like the logical sport. I found a good group of friends so I stuck with it.” This source of friendship is evident within the boys track team as you see boys in all grades laughing with each other and kicking a soccer ball or throwing a Frisbee to one another before practice begins. But once practice starts, they are ready to work hard and make one another better. A typical practice week for track consists of one or two strenuous workout days plus “longer run days with core and agility work mixed in,” says Chapman.
Chapman believes his team could win the league championship if everyone “puts in the effort.” As for Chapman, he hopes to run the 800-meter in less than two minutes. His best time thus far is 2:05. Chapman also competes in the 400-meter and triple jump and is a member of the 4×400-meter relay team that went to all-states this past winter. Chapman expects the team to do well in the spring season and possibly break the school record of 3:26.
Chapman sees Oakmont Regional High School and Littleton High School as the two biggest challenges for the boys team. He believes that if the team does well against Littleton on May 6, Bromfield will have a “good chance of winning leagues.”
Chapman is heading to Bates College in the fall and is not sure if he is ready for the commitment of running in college. “I am thinking about it,” he said. “It’s a lot of time and I’m looking forward to making that decision, but I’m not ready yet.”
Hannah LoChiatto is a Bromfield senior.
