And, despite marked improvements, the boys failed to send a single member to states this year.

"It was a little disappointing," senior Kevin McNamara says, "but I am still happy about our performance. We worked hard all year, and even though we did not make states, we still did well."

On a positive note, the boys 4x800 meter relay team, consisting of seniors Kevin McNamara and Timur Clarke, sophomore Jason Bove and junior Robert Egan have been a boon to the boys squad, which has faced difficulties in posting points in distance relay events in the past.

The members of the team scored in individual events as well. Bove placed sixth in the two-mile and McNamara placed fifth in the high jump.

"I have no complaints about how the boys did this year," distance coach Seann Pelkey says. "The outdoor and indoor teams are completely different animals. Our sprinting teams will become much stronger when wrestling and basketball ends, but there is nothing to complain about."

The distance team was the strength of the boys indoor team this season, and has improved over previous years.

"We scored some points this season, and it ended very well," McNamara says. "We really came together this year. We learned to run together, which was a problem on previous distance teams."

Aside from the success of the boys team, the real honors go to the girls. The girls distance program shone brightly, sending three runners to the regional championship. Seniors Rose Overbey and Beth Bower placed second and third in the two-mile, and junior Julie Fry placed fourth in the 800-meter run.

Also going to states were juniors Erin Brennan, who placed fourth in the 55 meter hurdles, and junior Angela Hoague, who placed fourth in shot put.

"I think that we did very well at the regional championships," Pelkey says. "All of the girls worked very hard and it paid off at the regional meet."

At the state meet, however, the girls ran into some stiff competition. Only one runner, Bower, scored out of the five, placing sixth in both the one-mile and two-mile events.

Unfortunately, senior Overbey, who ran her last race as a Cougar on Tuesday, did not score in any of her events. Nevertheless, the girls are proud of the outcome of the meet.

"We did well," Bower says. "Some girls had off-days, but that is to be expected. I am looking forward to the outdoor season and a chance to do it again."

With the indoor season concluded, the track team had little time to rest before moving onto outdoor, and a team which is drastically different.

"We have a young team, and lots of room to grow into," Bower says. "I really feel that in a year or two we'll be very good. What we really need is for people to come out and fill in spots on the team."

The goal of the track team this season is not to emulate the success of this season; it is to surpass it. So far, both the girls and the boys teams are moving in the right direction.

The Cougars open their outdoor season against Richard Montgomery March 25, at QO.