Head Coach Magnes Lewis Reflects On A Season Of Success And Growth

By Michael Cousineau, Staff Writer

With winter season competitions concluded, SHS coaches can now begin to evaluate their seasons and prepare for the future of their programs. Indoor Track and Field head coach Magnes “Lew” Lewis spoke about the program’s conclusion of its second season and his hopes for the future of track and field at Sanford High School.

The indoor and outdoor track programs are geared towards qualifying athletes for two major postseason meets at the Southwestern Conference and State Class A levels. How did the postseason go?

“We had an amazing postseason. With a state champion in Tucker Walker and excellent performances by Rhylen Avery, CJ Grant, Mason Van Geison and Logan Glidden [at the state championship meet], our team also had a fantastic showing at Southwesterns as well.” 

How has the team grown this season?

“The team has almost tripled in size from last year. The skill level has been excellent as well. Every person PR’d [broke a personal record] in their events, as well as made varsity, with the requirement of scoring five points throughout the season in events during meets.”

The team’s growth is also demonstrated through its performance during the regular season. Notably, the boys team achieved a season record of 15-9, a major improvement from last season. Facing one of the most challenging strengths of schedule in the league, the indoor “trackies” held their own against some of the toughest competition in the state.

What makes a team “coachable”? Have there been any team challenges and/or successes from a coaching perspective?

“A coachable team is a team that is willing to be coached and coach one another. Track is a unique sport where fellow athletes can have an immense influence on their peers and help them improve their skills. The challenge in track is not finding the potential in athletes, but coaching growth to the athletes that have maximized their potential. As a team, I have found our success in the culture of the team willing to support one another in the sport.”

What are your hopes for the program over the next few years?

“I would love to have more than one athlete make [the New England Championship meet] next year. I would also love for the girls program to double in size next year.”

Coach Lew also believes that the anticipated success of the Outdoor Track and Field program will promote additional growth for the following indoor season.

He adds, “If our team is able to grow next season as much as it did this season, Sanford will become one of the strongest indoor track programs in the state.” 

With the indoor season behind him, Coach Lewis now shifts his attention to his coaching role in the Outdoor Track program. He plans to prepare for the next season of competition by continuing to assess the successes and challenges of the previous season, working with coaches and athletes to create impactful and attainable goals, and maintaining consistent communication with athletes regarding their specific events as well as events they could excel in.

With a promising season rapidly approaching, coaches and athletes alike have set their sights on the very real possibility of winning a state championship in the 2024 season. 

“Our boys track and field program has a very strong chance at winning the state title as a team this year. When assessing our athletes and the competition from the past year on both indoor track and outdoor track, we believe that we have all the right athletes to go undefeated in the regular season, have a very strong showing at our regional meet, and be a top contender at the state championship. This will only be accomplished if our athletes stay healthy and are willing to be flexible with trying events that they have not competed in before, but have a strong chance at being successful in that event.”

Coach Lewis has a deep-rooted passion for the sport of track and field. He shares, “It is the one sport where you are able to set goals without relying on others but yourself. In team sports, you win and lose as a team. In track, you can lose as a team but win as an individual, lose as an individual but win as a team, and so on… But winning and losing in track is only a small part of what makes track great. It is the fact that anyone can find success in the sport because it is all about setting personal goals and reaching them. There is no other sport in the world that will better prepare someone for life than track and field, because it teaches you how to work hard to achieve goals that are unique to you and no one else.”

Coach Lew, as well as the other members of the SHS track and field coaching staff, are always looking for more athletes. Students who don’t currently participate in a spring and/or winter sport are encouraged to look into indoor or outdoor track programs.

The Outdoor Track and Field information and sign-up meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 14th at 2:30 PM.