A Running Start
Danny Breslauer
H.P. Mirror Staff

There is never an off-season in Highland Park sports. All athletes need to stay in shape when their season comes to a close, often turning to intense weight training and conditioning.

HPHS spring track coach Keith Roig knows all about making sure his athletes are fit. Roig, who also coaches the HPHS boys soccer team, is known for his rigorous conditioning workouts.

"I take a lot of pride in the fact that a lot of the kids that come out for track and field get stronger and faster," Roig said. "Not only does it help our team and individuals get exposure, but it helps the other programs at HPHS and gets their athletes in the best shape possible for their upcoming season."

The HPHS girls team won two dual meets last year and the number of interested runners has skyrocketed, according to Roig. The program lost two coaches in Tarig Holman and Christian Smith, due to occupational and personal reasons, but they look to build on the foundation the former coaches helped establish.

It would be an understatement to say that there will be a few new philosophies being preached this year, with two of the four coaches in their first year with their assignment. Scott Ruddy and Eric Davis will join Roig and Mary Denny in a revamped coaching setup.

"That's actually a luxury for us," Roig said. "We all help each other and if you have four coaches, you can specialize due to the sheer amount of events in track. By allowing each of us to work with different runners and throwers, we can compete with the bigger schools in that way. The new coaches have experience in their events and that will add to the expertise."

Roig works with the girls sprinters, high jump and hurdles; Ruddy will take responsibility for the boys sprinters, long jumpers and triple jumpers. Davis, also the Highland Park cross-country coach, will be with the distance runners, while Denny focuses on the weight team and throwers. Roig believes that the coaches for girls and boys will work in tandem.

"We're all really one team," Roig said. "For some kids, they join track to improve their fitness, for others it's where they shine. The coaches will be able to work with each kid individually and the teams workout under the same conditions."

Individually, the Owls have superstar-level talent on both sides, in the form of juniors Alyssa Hudgins and Bryant Fitzgerald. In the Central Jersey Group I girls tournament last year, Hudgins won the shot-put and discus outright as a sophomore.

"She's one of the best athletes in the school," Roig said. "Alyssa worked really hard and competed in the Tournament of Champions, so we're looking forward to her development - she's a definite college prospect."

Roig commented on what it's like to benefit from an all-state runner like Fitzgerald, who has drawn many colleges' attention by rushing for over 2000 yards on the gridiron this year.

"It's good for the morale of the team to have someone like Bryant running," Roig said. "Track has always been his thing and he's a sensational competitor, so that comes back to the team and makes the coaches very proud. It's nice to have people notice HP and it's positive for the program."

The girls runners are also improving steadily as they get older, with the team being centered on a youth core.

"We have a good, young crew," Roig said. "They're fast and quick. Girls like Gwen Dougherty and Olivia Saad really add to the versatility of the team overall."

Roig also touched on the mental aspect of track and how important it is to stay focused while staying in shape.

"In a track race, it really just ends up being you on the line by yourself," Roig said. "You have to be mentally tough and [also] prepared to go along with pure athleticism. It's a tough balance to maintain."

Roig summed up the state of the program as the season approaches: "I think one of the best things about our situation is that we have the athletes and the talent to really build something special."

"It's important to keep morale and numbers up and work from there."