As its enrollment has steadily grown over the last few years and the school has seen progress in athletic and academic programs, Trenton Catholic Academy appears to be on the “fast track.”  That phrase can now be used literally as the school unveiled a brand new, rubberized track for its athletic teams.

Although it will not officially be used until the spring when track and field team members resume their sport, the school inaugurated the new track with a ceremony and blessing held Oct. 12. Father Douglas Freer, diocesan vicar for Catholic education, presided at the blessing.

“This will be one of the finest tracks in the area,” said TCA track coach, Gary Zottoli. “Cracks and repairs over the years to the asphalt track made it difficult to run on, and we ended up with too many stress injuries. Without the new track, we could compete only in away meets.  Now we can host dual and invitational meets.”

Sister of St. Joseph Dorothy Payne, president of TCA, proudly commented on how the school had several student-athletes who competed in the N.J. Meet of Champions, and now the new surface provides “a better facility that will enable more athletes to compete at the highest levels and possibly gain college scholarships.”

Both TCA’s Upper and Lower Schools will make good use of the track, Sister Dorothy said, noting how the Upper School track team posted its first winning record in 2011, and the Lower School has won the CYO Championship the past several years.

In addition to the new track, Sister Dorothy cited other improvements that have been made to the school’s athletic complex. The boys’ soccer field on the inside of the track was regraded and reseeded and received a new irrigation system.  The old wooden grandstands were removed and replaced with aluminum bleachers that seat 200 spectators.  In addition, the field received new goalposts and nets.

In the future, the plan is to have the lights replaced on the track which will allow the school to host night games.