16 AHS athletes to compete at regional
A number of Albany track athletes are advancing to the Region I-2A Track and Field Meet Friday and Saturday in Levelland, with the chance to punch their ticket to the state track in May.
The Lady Lions are sending both the sprint and mile relays to the regional meet, along with five girls in individual events.
The Lions are also advancing two relays, including the 4x200 relay and the mile relay, and five individuals in three events.
The regional meet will begin Friday at 8:30 a.m. with field events at South Plains College in Levelland. Running preliminary events are scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.
Several field events will continue on Saturday morning starting at 8:30 a.m., with the running finals set to start at 2:30 p.m.
The injury-plagued boys relays should be back to full strength for the regional meet.
“Injuries have been numerous this year, so we have had to change things up quite a bit,” boys coach Rod Britting said. “We are expecting to be back with our regular guys this week, and if we run what we are capable of running, we should make the finals in the relays and have a good chance to advance.”
The coach noted that veteran runner Cutter Edgar wasn’t able to compete at the area meet due to a pulled hamstring.
“Cutter is well, but Cameron (Dacus) is nursing a quad muscle, so we are hoping for the best combination possible,” he said. “Cameron is leading the region in the long jump, which he will do first, and we will see where we are after that for the relays.”
Both boys relays took fourth at the area meet, but had faster times earlier in the season.
“Our best times would put us at eighth in the sprint and third in the mile, so we need to be competitive and have a great day,” Britting said.
The 800 meter relay turned in a time of 1:35.62 at area, while the mile team ran a 3:36.58.
Dacus, a senior, is taking the best jump into the regional meet in the long jump event with 21-10.5 based on the area meet stats, but has gone a foot further in a previous meet.
Junior Colby Hargett cleared 6-02 in the high jump to win at area, which is currently the second best jump in the region.
Teammate Robert Bailey, a freshman, cleared 6-0 at the area meet for third and is sitting tied with a string of contenders for fourth going into the regional meet.
“If either of those guys could clear 6-04 they would have an excellent shot at advancing to state,” the coach said.
Freshmen Luke Ivy and Jaheim Newton both qualified for the meet with third and fourth place finishes respectively in the triple jump at area.
“They are going in at 11th and 12th, but I think they both have even more in them,” the coach said. “It is impressive that a pair of freshmen are even making it to the regional meet.”
Only the top two places at the regional meets advance to state, along with the best third place time or distance among all four regions, a spot known as the wildcard.
On the girls side, the 4x400 relay took third with a time of 4:20.30 and the sprint was fourth with a time of 52.35.
Coach Lauren Peacock said that her team is finally all healthy this week and should also turn in better times than they did at the area meet.
“The sprint is sitting at 10th or 11th going in, while the mile is eighth based on area times,” Peacock said. “But we have run faster times, and the girls ran well in practice the last week, so we are hoping we make the finals in both relays.”
Senior Caroline Masters also hopes to return to state in the pole vault after her first appearance last season, bringing the second best jump for the area at 9-06. She set a personal record of 10-06 earlier in the month, which puts her in the top three heights this season in the region.
“Caroline is jumping very consistently, and we feel good about her chances of getting back to Austin if she jumps like she is capable of jumping,” said pole vault coach Rod Britting. “She has worked hard and is a very steady competitor.”
Looking for her first trip to Austin is freshman Sarah Cotter, who cleared a personal best of 5-05 at area for first place in the high jump. She is also the top regional contender going into the meet.
Sophomore Alli Hill cleared 5-0 for fourth at area and advanced to regionals.
“Alli had the exact same situation last year and jumped a 5-04 at regional to go to state,” Peacock said. “She has been there before and knows what it takes to compete and advance.”
Freshman Ansleigh Garcia is making her first trip to regionals, placing third at area in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 53.02.
“She has been working on hurdles with Mr. Hill and is now stronger and healthier than before, so we are excited to see what she can do in the preliminaries,” the coach said.
Albany junior Jaleigh Morales advanced in the shot put after a fourth place finish at area with a distance of 32-07.
“Jaleigh has really been working on her footwork and quickness,” Peacock said. “We are hoping that she can throw a personal best and make it to the finals.”
