ANDOVER — Andover sprint coach Scott Price did not hold back his expectations for senior Andrew Osborne.
"He could be sitting on an All-Scholastic year," said Price. "He's a legitimate competitor."
The multitalented Osborne will be counted upon to help lead the Golden Warriors as they attempt to repeat as Massachusetts All-State champions. They were scheduled to open the season on Tuesday by hosting Chelmsford.
"There's not a ton of pressure after last season," said Osborne, whose squad won the indoor All-State title for the first time in school history last winter.
"But we have some big shoes to fill. We have a core group of really good competitors, and I think this could be another great season. Hopefully we'll win it again."
An ace in the classroom — he said he ranks either in the top five or 10 percent of his Andover High senior class — that intelligence has helped him to become a standout in one of track's most complex events, the high jump.
"It's a lot different than most events because it's more about finesse than speed," said Osborne. "You want good speed, but you also need to be in control because you have to get your last steps correct. You have to run in a perfect 'J.' In addition to that you have to get all of your in-air form correct to get over the bar and be successful."
Osborne has used that analytical approach to be successful all over the track. His top event is the high jump, where he holds a stellar personal best of 6 feet, 3 inches. He has also taken his skills to the long jump, with a personal best of 20-4.
"It can be hard to go from the long jump to the high hump," he said. "The long jump is a sprint where you're trying to get as much horizontal distance as possible. If you do that in the high jump you'll run right into the bar."
But Osborne does not limit himself to jumping. He also holds a personal best of 5.6 seconds in the 50-yard dash and an 8.5 in the hurdles.
"Andrew is a stellar jumper," said Price. "And now we are looking for him to be our second-best 50/55 dash runner (following All-Scholastic Christopher McConnell)."
Price also noted that Osborne will be counted upon for another key role. He will be asked to join the 4x200 relay team that took first at All-States (1:31.70) and at New Englands (1:31.08) and placed sixth at Nike Indoor Nationals on the way to earning All-Scholastic honors.
He will be expected to fill the void left by 2009 graduate Brendan Crawford, and run alongside returners McConnell, Kerrick Stevens and Mark Vetere.
Osborne credited much of his success to his work as a three-sport athlete. Osborne is a two-year starter at goalie for the soccer team, and excels as an outside hitter for the volleyball team that finished 19-3 and advanced to the North finals last season before bowing out to St. John's Prep.
"I think playing all three sports is one of the most important things that I do," he said. "Doing the same thing repetitively can cause injuries, and by playing different sports I can work out different things differently. In volleyball I am always working on my vertical skills, and in soccer I improve lateral movement and my conditioning."
Free time is at a premium for Osborne. He is currently enrolled in four Advanced Placement classes (statistics, physics, chemistry and English) while still applying to colleges. But he continues to dedicate himself to track. That includes his favorite challenge, the state pentathlon in which he must compete in the high jump, long jump, shot put, hurdles and 1,000. He placed ninth a year ago.
"Andrew just scores in any even we put him in," said Andover head coach Peter Comeau. "He's very focused, very mature and multitalented. And he understands his role."
Boys Track
2008-09 season: Massachusetts All-State Track and Field champions
Returning lettermen: Andrew Pallotta, Sr., hurdles; Andrew Osborne, Sr., jumps; Patrick Morrow, Jr., jumps; Wilson Belbin, Sr., distance; David Daniels, Sr., distance; Chris Goodwin, Sr., distance; Nick Schumacher, Sr., distance; Ben Stacy, Sr., distance; Adam Vetere, Sr., distance; Scott Waller, Sr., distance; Matthew Barnes, Jr., distance; Ryan Beaumont, Jr., distance; David Curran, Jr., distance; Tim Lyman, Jr., distance; Andrew Newcomb, Sr., distance; Will Ossiff, Jr., distance; Simon Voorhees, Jr., distance; Christopher McConnell, Sr., sprints; Connor O'Neill, Sr., sprints; Kerrick Stevens, Sr., sprints; Mark Vetere, Sr., sprints; Troy Cayon, Jr., sprints; Brian Knapp, Jr., sprints; Max Verrette, Jr., sprints; Kevin Anderson, Sr., throws; Tim Duffy, Sr., throws; Pete Theodorou, Sr., throws; Chris Warne, Sr., throws; Andrew Ladd, Jr., throws
Newcomers: Ryan Cooney, Soph., distance; Evan Gaj, Soph., distance; Charles Schleifer, Soph., distance; Mark Waller, Soph., distance; Michael Maldari, Frosh., distance; Kendrick McCarroll, Frosh., distance; Miller Martin, Soph., hurdles; Jason Callery, Frosh., hurdles; Eric Wybenga, Frosh., hurdles; Nick Gentile, Soph., sprints; Jacob Donovan, Frosh., Sprints; Mark Zavrl, Frosh., Sprints; Andres Christopulos, Frosh., throws; Adam Ladd, Frosh., throws
Captain: Chris Goodwin, Nick Schumacher, Adam Vetere, Scott Waller, Connor O'Neill, Kerrick Stevens, Mark Vetere, Tim Duffy, Chris Warne
Head Coach: Peter Comeau
Assistance Coaches: Art Iworsley, hurdles and long jump; Brenda Clark-Warne, distance; Scott Price, sprints; Mark Hathaway, high jump; Art McDermott, throws; Dick Collins, volunteer throws
