Freedom’s track and field head coach Charlie Heidecker is in his second year leading the Patriots, a year when things weren’t so brand new anymore and steady improvement was able to take over.

“We enjoyed a full winter season that had excellent participation from about 30 athletes. The mild winter allowed us to get some work done both outside and inside. The kids that were in winter track were pumped up to get outside in the spring and see what they could do,” said Heidecker, before schools were eventually shut down

“It’s the start of our second year with the whole coaching staff returning, so everything felt like just a transition from winter to spring. Several of the kids that joined us showed real potential in a number of events. The coaches were especially excited to get a chance to work with a group that had so many freshmen and sophomores.”

Unfortunately, the spring season won’t take place.

Assistant coach Jeremy Efthimaides was training the jumpers, Tony Flatts was working with the boys sprinters and hurdlers, Ben Reph was training the throwers, Adam Syty was in charge of the girls sprinters and hurdlers, Patriot cross country coach Bob Thear was working with the distance runners, and Mike Thorne was training the pole vaulters.

“A number of our upperclassmen, especially those that were in winter track, have emerged as leaders,” Heidecker said. “That’s a good sign.”

The Patriot roster would have had 73 girls and 56 boys.

Key returners for the boys would have included sprinters Gabe Caton, AJ Fletcher, Matty Russin, Chase Bonstein, Alex Reji, who is also a jumper, and Vince Reph, who is also a thrower; hurdler Eli Lovell; pole vaulter Chris Dew; distance runners Matt Parkin and Alex Heidemann; and thrower Justin Guidetti.

Key returners for the girls were supposed to be sprinters Alysha Gargone, Kiahnilee Ramos, Sophia Szvetecz, and Bella Estojak; and sprinters Jada Phipps, Sydney Brown, and Sophie Twiggar, who are also hurdlers.

Scheduled to return to key roles for the girls are distance/middle distance runners Lauren Charboneau, Eliza Fihlman, and Diala Hassan; pole vaulter Madison Fey; jumpers Camille Gutekunst and Sarah Gill; throwers Kilia Ramos and Isabel Rodriguez; hurdler/jumper Lola Willey; and jumper/thrower Ariana Braun.

“We learned about the suspension of sports at practice very shortly after the governor made the announcement,” said Heidecker prior to the shutdown for the year and season. “I don’t believe our team was surprised by the decision because we had warned them that a decision like that may be coming. The kids did have a lot of questions about the remaining practices in the preseason, when we would return, the season itself and what they should do in the interim.

“We held an intrasquad scrimmage meet on that last practice day and the kids really enjoyed competing in the different relays our coaches set up. The coaches were ready with workouts that the kids could do on their own at home. We encouraged the kids to stay in contact with the coaches via email and follow all of the guidelines set down by the public health authorities.”