New Girls Track, Field Coach Named At Greenwich High School

GREENWICH, CT — Peter Watson, an avid runner and math teacher at Greenwich High School, has been named the school's new head girls track and field coach.

The news was announced last week by Gus Lindine, the school's director of athletics, who emphasized Watson's experience as both a coach and a competitor as factors in the decision.

"Peter Watson has had many years of experience, coaching and competing in track and field," Lindine said to Patch. "He is a very welcome addition as our girls track and field head coach. We are fortunate to have him."

Watson will replace Casimir Loxsom, who has lead the Cardinals the past two seasons. For the last few seasons, Watson has been a member of the school's cross country, indoor track and track and field programs. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Speaking by phone Wednesday, Watson said he was honored to have been selected for the position and to be a part of the team's successful legacy.

"I know that the girls track program at Greenwich High School has had a history of success, so to be a part of that is very humbling," Watson said. "I'm really excited because we have a lot of top performers that are upperclassmen and I'm looking forward to seeing their success.

Watson noted this season, which begins Monday, is expected to be the team's first full season and post-season since the ongoing coronavirus crisis began last spring. He said staying healthy is a top priority for the team this year.

"Even though we're allowed to have a somewhat normal season, that doesn't mean that COVID-19 has gone away," Watson said, "and making sure that all our athletes are healthy is definitely a unique challenge."

As he prepares for the start of the season next week, Watson said he hopes to continue the success the team has had in the past.

"Doing well and winning [our] meets is definitely a goal of this season," Watson said, "and then taking us from there into the post-season and hoping to have some success there."

Though this will be his first season leading the team, Watson said his experience as a math teacher at the school has prepared him for aspects of the position.

"In track and field," Watson said, "not only is there a lot of math and times, but also just being a teacher prepares me in that...[I'm] teaching them about the sport, so it's definitely a skill that easily transfers from teaching to coaching."

Watson said a number of students on the team also are in his classes or are familiar with him as a teacher at the school.

"If there's an issue that pops up during the school day," Watson said, "I'm here and able to help those students that are on the team too."

An avid runner, Watson continues to compete at a high level in local and regional track and road races. According to Lindine, Watson was the first place finisher of both the 2017 and 2018 Greenwich Cup Half Marathons and can still be found running on local roads.

"I've run since I was in high school," Watson said, "and one thing that it's allowed me to do every day is after a hard day at school, either when I was a student myself or a long day at work, it's something I always look forward to in the afternoon. It gives me that opportunity to kind of hit the restart button, clear my head and start again fresh."

Prior to his time at Greenwich High, Watson coached cross country and track and field at Darien High School.

He also received his bachelor's degree in mathematics and economics from Williams College, where he competed for four years with the cross country and track and field teams, and later received a master’s degree in mathematics education.

Watson thanked the school and its athletic department for giving him the opportunity to lead such a successful program with a legacy he hopes to continue.

"I hope to live up to those expectations," Watson said, "and bring continued success to the Greenwich High School track program."