This Friday, May 24th, the Oyster River Bobcats are poised to win the New Hampshire track and field outdoor state championship. However, this isn’t the only thing in their sights. The Bobcats also look to make history.
The 2023-24 school year at Oyster River High sSchool (ORHS) has been very successful as far as running is concerned, with state chips in girls cross country and indoor track. The girls’ team looks to ‘3-peat’ at the upcoming state meet, an incredibly rare feat in the world of track and field. Their tremendous success this year has been credited to coaches, hard work and a bunch of talented athletes.
This Friday marks the culmination of a season that has been more than a success for the Bobcats track team. Although the team seems happy about their success, they still seemed locked in and set on the common goal of an outdoor track state championship.
Winning the outdoor championship would give the girls track team a rare 3rd consecutive title after winning cross country and indoor track. Talon Ouellette (’25), a member of the power crew, (short distance) raved about the girls team. “Our girls team is really generational. The coaches did something where they compared times and right now, as of our indoor season, our girls’ team was better than UNH’s,” said Ouellette.
This success isn’t by chance,. All year, the Bobcats have stayed laszer focused on and off the track. Talia Banofato (’24) thinks the team’s work ethic and dedication has helped make the team successful. “Since the beginning of cross country to now something that we’ve all really put at the forefront of our training is getting the work done and then having fun.”
Ouellette talked about the success of the team and the tremendous work ethic that goes with being a track athlete, especially going into the championship meet. “I think we do have a lot of talent, a lot of just naturally gifted people. And then again, they are also gifted with a great work ethic,” said Ouellette. “We’re waking up six in the morning, 3-4 times a week, popping out to practices on the hot track. And then when it gets to the meet, you’re going to have up to 5 races in a day and each one just hurts a little more than the last. Gritting your teeth and getting down to business, it’s no easy task. Just everybody’s willing.,” he continued.
On the other side of the athletes are the coaches, who have been helping athletes improve all season. “,We had a coaching change like last year, so this was like my first full year with Patrick O’Brien. I had an awful year last year and this year is like my best so far. So yeah, I think he’s a great coach, everyone who’s been on the team for more than one year has all gotten better, especially the guys’ team as well,” said Banofato.
Continuing to praise the coaches, Banofato reminisced on her four years as a Bobcat, and how far the team has come. She talked about how when she was on team as a freshman, they didn’t even qualify for states. Their historic rise over the next four season will come to a head at the state meet on Friday, with the 3-peat in their sights.
The track team’s goal for the state meet seems to be simple: “We are there to win,” said Casey Pirtle (’25), another power crew member. “We have the mentality where we want to win every event, get a P.R every race, beat everyone. All I got to say is be ready, we’re coming.”
-Mairtin Sweetman
Images courtesy of Madelyn Marthouse
Mouth of the River 
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