By Sofia Rudus ’26
The 2024-2025 indoor track season has been a very successful one full of personal records, high expectations and a loaded team. The season started in early December and continued until middle of February, providing time for lots of room for improvement. When asked, the indoor track captains and coaches of the track team had a lot of positive moments and experiences to look back on throughout the season.
The team works hard with practice six times a week and usually one meet per week. The team is split into different groups, so that everyone can focus specifically on their own training. The season is full of difficult workouts and grueling weather, however, even with these challenges, the times and strength that the team shows reflect the dedication that everyone puts in.
The season will end soon after NVLs, the Naugatuck Valley League Championship, and the State Championships. Emma Hyder ‘25 and Quintin Simjouw ‘25 discussed about the overall season and how they project the team to do at these larger meets. “Some bumps have altered some goals that were set preseason, but I think maybe they will be met, or as close to possible met, tomorrow at NVLs or even at States,” Hyder said. Hyder foreshadowed a terrific performance from Derby at NVLs with the girls’ team coming in fourth place and the boys’ team finishing in second place! Simjouw described more details about this by saying, “We are seeded in a good place. Off the top of my head the 4 x 2 [4 x 200 meter relay] has broken some school records and so has Sebastian Amaya ‘25 in pole vault. Hopefully with it coming to the end, we can win a few trophies.”
The captains shared how they enjoyed their role this year and how it has been something that they have been looking forward to since freshmen year. One of the captains, Cassie Silkoff ‘25 says, “It means a lot that I was named captain this year, considering I’ve been doing the sport for so long. And I care about the team and the sport a lot. So the fact that the coach sees me as someone who can control the team and step up and contribute in that way as well is important to me.” The whole team may be excited that they are able to rest now with the season over, mentally and physically, but the team atmosphere and becoming stronger with friends by your side will be missed.
Though the season comes to the end, the team is strong as ever and everyone is looking forward to a phenomenal outdoor track season. Derby High School health teacher and track coach Matthew Nicolari proudly talks about the team and the amazing effort level this year: “This year really helped solidify that we’re doing the right things because you guys did a phenomenal job. Again, I put it all on you. You guys are the ones who go out there and work hard. You guys are the ones who compete. You guys are the ones who stepped up when we need you. You guys made me very proud, and I’m no longer worried about taking a step back, about fitting into the shoes that were left for me,” he said.
The end of the season is bittersweet, however, this momentum will hopefully continue into the spring outdoor track season and next year.
The Raider Press 