There are only so many dual meets in a high school season. Over the years, however, they have a way of adding up. Acton-Boxborough girls track coach Ken Feit has been coaching indoor and outdoor track for 32 years, first at Reading and at A-B for the last four. He’s won some and he’s lost some. Well, actually, he’s won more than just a few. On Wednesday, April 20, when the Colonials defeated Dual County League Large rival Lincoln-Sudbury, 79-66 at Leary Field, that was Feit’s 500th victory (combined indoor and outdoor seasons). “I’ve coached a lot of great kids,” said Feit, a longtime Acton resident. “I had great kids at Reading through the 90s and a lot of great kids here. We have close to 100 kids on the team. We try to keep everything fun.” The seniors on this year’s team were freshman when Feit was in his first year at A-B. Six of them, Emma Bartle, Courtney Craib, Emily Alex, Melissa Bamberry, Julie Flynn and Sophie Antonioli. “We knew he had some success in Reading,” said Alex. “He definitely knows a lot about track. He knows how to push us and we see the results.” Said Bamberry, “He’s very supportive and motivating. He tries different things. He’ll push you but he’s a really good person to work with.” His athletes have found him to be very approachable. “Yesterday, we rode stationary bikes next to each other for 20 minutes,” Bartle said. “We just talked about life.” In addition to winning meets, Feit also knows how to get athletes ready to compete after high school. “He understands everything you need to do to feel well and do well,” said Antonioli, who will run for Lehigh University next year. “He knows about eating correctly and getting enough rest.” Said Craib, “He not only teaches us how to be great athletes, build muscle and have endurance, but how to deal with the hardships that could be presented in our lives. Something that really affects me and makes me think is when Mr. Feit says something along the lines of ‘What will you do or who will you be when nobody is watching?’ Mr. Feit wants all the individuals on the team to be great athletes, but also great people. I think this is why he is such a great coach and has achieved many wins.”
Inducted: 2000