By now, the spring sports season should be budding like a crocus. But on April 2, temperatures barely rose to 37 F outside of Boothbay Region High School, as if a mean April Fools' joke over-stayed its welcome.

But, that didn’t deter the track and field athletes from heading outside for practice; and this time around the ranks are filled.

Minutes before Tuesday’s practice, lively chatter filled Porter Memorial Gymnasium. An unprecedented 50 kids, roughly a quarter of the student population, are participating in track and field this year at BRHS, and for those returning this season, many are underclassmen.

After the warm up, the kids dispersed in every direction; one group headed out to run, another hauled javelins out to the field. The distance runners headed out to rack up mileage under the direction of Distance Coach Nick Scott.

“We’re really looking forward to spreading out our athletes and fill all the events and be competitive in some regular season meet,” Scott said.

Scott returns for his seventh season of track and field alongside veteran coaches Dick Morrison and Ed Tostevin, who have a combined 60 years with the Seahawks. Despite never having the field or facilities to train athletes, their coaching tenure includes two state championships, and an impressive list of decorated alumni.

Morrison said in all his seasons, he hasn’t seen so many kids take in an interest in track and field.

“Ed and I are very grateful we have Nick (Scott). He’s really expanded the program,” Morrison said.

Scott teaches eighth grade social studies at Boothbay Region Elementary School. In many ways, Scott has helped replenish the ranks, getting kids excited about running early on.

However, track and field is very much an individual's sport; the more people who can spread out and cover the events, the better off the team can compete for points.

For distance running, junior Sophia Thayer will be a big source of points.

“She’s going to be one of the favorites in the mile and two mile.” Scott said.

Joining Thayer will be Hannah Morley, who had a standout freshman season running cross country. Scott said he suspects Morley will be a regular contributor this season.

For the boys, Alex Owen, a senior, will lead the pack competing in the five different events ranging from the 4x400-meter to the 1,600-meter race.

Owen said he enjoys running the 800-meter race the most, but his best performance will probably be in the mile race (1,600 meters).

Backing up Owen will be juniors Robert Campbell and Benn Scully and freshman Matt Burnham.

In the field events, senior captain Linc Simmons will be the go-to-guy in throwing the discus and shot put for the boys while Jessie Vander will do the same events for the girls.

Sophomore Antonio Maulolo is a new face this year. Maulolo just won the state championship in wrestling, so his strength and quickness could potentially bring big things to the field events.

In the jumping department, Josiah Purin and Morgan Crocker will likely be a boost for Boothbay. Crocker placed first in the long jump at the Mountain Valley Conference meet last year, and her natural athleticism could spread well across the board.

Practice started March 25 and the first meet is at Mountain Valley, April 11. By the looks of the team so far, Seahawks track and field are fully stocked for the season.