By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — Adam Dell’Aria is back for his fourth year as the head coach of the Lynnfield High girls’ indoor track and field team this winter. Last year, the Pioneers went 0-4 overall.
Six seniors from that squad graduated but when the first practice opened on Nov. 27, the Pioneers had 33 veterans back.
Three of them are this year’s captains as they have two senior captains and one junior captain.
The two senior captains are Olivia Goguen and Emilie Bell. Goguen will compete in the 300-meters, 600-meters, long jump and 4×400 relay.
Bell, meanwhile, is a shot-putter.
The junior captain is Caitlin Buoniconti and she will compete in the 1,000-meters and mile.
“Our junior class is the biggest class we have on our roster,” pointed out Dell’Aria, who is an English teacher at Lynnfield High. “We are so used to having a young team so we should be better with the experience we have.”
Three key juniors Dell’Aria has high expectations for are Gabby Bottaro (distance and 4×400 relay), Lily Rocco (sprinter) and Clara Caulfield sprinter, hurdles and high jump).
The big offseason news is that the Pioneers will change divisions this winter. Although Essex Tech has been in the league in indoor track for several years, the Hawks became a full-fledged member of the Cape Ann League back in September in all sports. The Hawks, who were in the CAL Baker (small) Division last year, are now moved up to the Kinney (large school) Division.
Lynnfield was then moved down to the CAL Baker Division from the Kinney.
“Amesbury will be the team to beat in the Baker,” said Dell’Aria, as the Red Hawks are the defending Baker Division champions.
Lynnfield opened the season on Tuesday as they took on Hamilton-Wenham at The Track at New Balance in Brighton (results not available at press time).
