Track season to get underway Feb. 22
A lot of miles are to be covered on the track and on the highway between now and May 3, but the Albany Lions and Lady Lions track and field teams are gearing up to end another season at the state meet in Austin.
Albany takes the first competitive steps of 2024 on Monday, Feb. 26 at Anson’s Tiger Relays. Albany will compete at five meets, including it sown Roaring Lion Relays on Friday, March 29 before attending the District 10-2A meet April 4 at Cisco.
Boys coach Rod Britting said he currently has about 24 athletes – varsity and JV combined – in training with another six or seven expected after the conclusion of basketball season.
“They’re having this meet on Monday because of softball and baseball tournaments on Thursday and Friday,” Britting said.
The Lions return proven commodities with six athletes who advanced out of district last year. Senior Adam Hill will be trying for a third trip to the state meet after winning the 300-meter hurdles title last year to go with two silver medals in the 110-meter hurdles.
Cason Fairchild and Jayce Tinkle joined Hill in running on Albany’s 1600 relay at state last year.Other returnin gregional qualifiers are Luke Marshall in the pole vault, Tinkle in the 400 and HuffmanHeatlyinthe1600.
Thrower Lanxton Viertel also returns, while high jumper Wyatt Windham, who has battled back problems since the football preseason, is a question mark.
Britting said the first meet offers an opportunity to evaluate youn gera thletes.
“The older guys, I know where most of them are, and it’s just a matter of getting their feet wet,” he said. “Some of the younger ones, we’ll see what race might be best and who might can help on the varsity level. The first meet is just a chance to compete against other kids.”
The Lady Lions also return a known quantity in thrower Kiana Roberson, who matches Hill with three medals in two state appearances. After placing third in the shot put as a sophomore, Roberson took silver in the shot put and discus last year as a junior.
Also returning is junior hurdler Avery Everitt, who has qualified for area the last two years.
“The next group we’re looking at are the freshmen,” said Lady Lions coach Lauren Peacock, who returns to the post after a six-year hiatus. “We’re not going to have very many girls, but I told them we don’t have to have very many.”
Among the new comers is freshman Ashlyn Miller,who qualified for regional in cross country in the fall.
“Ashlyn had a great cross country season and has been out here training and working super hard,” Peacock said. “I’m excited to see what she can do in the 400, and we’re going to try her in the 800. She should also have a good shot in the high jump, having gone 4-8 or 4-10.”
Another hopeful is sopho more Madi Parrott in the pole vault.
“Madi’s never vaulted before, but she wants to find somethin gand we’re going to have her work with Coach Britting,” Peacock said.
Peacock added that injuries have already been an issue for the girls team.
“Mimi Ivy and Zayne Lefevre were supposed to run, but they’ve had some injuries that have prevented them from training,” she said. “That makes a difference in whether we can have any relays. I’m hoping they get healthy.”
