When John Kowal joined the Haddam-Killingworth boys’ track and field team program, he did so as a way to stay in shape for the soccer season. However, John quickly took a liking to running and long jumping with the Cougars, and track wound up becoming another one of his athletic passions.

John recently graduated from H-K after serving as a senior captain for the boys’ outdoor track team this spring. John helped the Cougars have an amazing campaign that saw the squad win the Shoreline Conference title and then claim the Class M state championship.

“I participated in one season of indoor track and three seasons of outdoor track. I got into track and field to stay in shape for soccer, and I decided to be a sprinter, because I was always the fastest kid on the field,” says John. “I first realized I liked track the first year I did it. I found that I loved the sport when I realized it was just as much of a team sport as it was an individual one.”

John competed in the 100, the 200, and the long jump, along with the 4x100 and 4x400 relays for H-K. This spring, John was part of the Cougars’ 4x400 relay that finished first at the Shoreline Conference Championship, and he also ran on the 1,600 sprint medley relay team that competed at the National Championship meet in Eugene, Oregon. John joined forces with H-K teammates Kevin Cavrell, Eamon Sweeney, and Max Cozean to take 10th place at nationals with a time of 3:37.10.

“Flying out to Oregon was an unforgettable experience, and I honestly never thought that I would be getting on an airplane to fly across the country to go to nationals for track,” John says. “I could not have thought of a better way to close out my senior year and my high school track career. It was amazing to compete at the national level. All the athletes I met were super friendly, and it was nice to see schools from our state do well.”

Head Coach Matt Diglio says that it took some convincing for John to join the track team, but he was elated when John signed up. Diglio commends John for how well he performed and the way that he led H-K as a captain.

“John has been on the spring track team since his freshman year and has always been one of our top sprinters and long jumpers. I am so glad he made the decision to join us again this spring, because he had a huge impact on our team, both on and off the track,” says Diglio. “John was a captain and role model for the boys’ team this year, and he led by example with his work ethic and positive attitude.”

In addition to his success in track, John helped the H-K boys’ soccer squad have a season to remember last fall. After winning just two games in John’s junior year, the Cougars posted an overall record of 8-3-2 on their way to capturing the Shoreline Conference title in 2020.

“The memories I made with the boys on my team will never be forgotten. My junior year of soccer we went 2-14, and then my senior year we won the conference, so that feeling for me is unbeatable and a great achievement,” says John. “On the other hand, track has opened so many doors for me and allowed me to create so many friendships and memories, and the opportunity of going to the biggest high school meet in the world is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

John switched to the right back position on the soccer pitch as a senior after having previously played striker for H-K. John had no problem with making a sacrifice for greater good of the Cougars.

“I played striker all my soccer career, but switched to right back this season to help out the team,” John says. “I played a position on the right side, where I would still get the opportunity to go up and join the attack, but would go back immediately after possession switched.”

John will attend Middlesex Community College in the fall, but is still undecided about his major. While he doesn’t plan on playing sports in college, John will always hold the experience of his senior year at H-K near and dear to his heart.

“This season most certainly exceeded my expectations,” John says. “I went into states thinking that would be the last meet of my high school career. Little did I know I would be going to nationals with five of my teammates. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”