Time to read
1 minute
Read so far

Track season to get underway today

0 comments

The high school track season officially opens Thursday (today) at the Clyde meet, and Albany coaches are hoping to enter a strong field of competitors.

Field events start at 3:30 p.m. with running events set for 6:00 p.m.

Girls head track coach Lauren Peacock expects several returning tracksters, notably two state qualifiers – Caroline Masters and Alli Hill. There are several others with potential to do well, she said.

There are 20 girls altogether on the girls side, with the coach planning for all the freshmen to compete at the JV level this week until she evaluates where they are needed.

“Caroline has been working every day in the pole vault, and she is much stronger,” said Peacock. “I am excited to see what she can do this year.”

Hill, who qualified for state in the high jump and regional in the 100 meter hurdles, plans to add the 300 meter hurdles to her list of events this spring.

Peacock regrets the loss of Elia Hebel in the throwing events due to an injury, noting that “she is such a strong competitor.”

The coach commented that at least three good runners are returning for the relays, and they can be combined with some strong freshman athletes.

Boys coach Rod Britting is also optimistic about the upcoming season, with 25 athletes competing.

“We are trying to put relays together for this week, but we just haven’t had much time to work,” said Britting. “Several just got finished with basketball, and there are conflicts with other sports.”

Senior Cameron Dacus qualified for state in the long jump last year and Britting expects him to be a strong competitor again this season.

“We lost Ryan (Hill) in the jumping events, but we have some strong runners coming back, and there are several pole vaulters who are promising, even though our district is strong in the pole vault,” said Britting.

The coach also noted that Coby Knight is showing good potential in the throwing events.

Both the Lions and Lady Lions are scheduled to run in the Breckenridge meet on Thursday, March 7.

The junior high teams will travel to Clyde this Friday, March 1, then compete in Breckenridge on March 5.