Young Eagles aim for the future

Head Track Coach Kent Thomas made no bones about the future saying, “We’re shooting for a district championship, but I want these young guys to have a great bit of success this year and gain confidence and stay hooked so I can count on them next year. I’m telling you, those young relay teams, if I can keep them together, then in a couple of years you ask me if we will have some state qualifiers and I will give you some shoe ins for that.”

Those freshmen currently penciled in for the relays are Ashtyn Berry, Vaughn Hamill, Cayden Howard, Parker Jones and Steele Skinner. Add to that mix a pair of sophomores, Dallas Pecot and Ty Polite.

The hopes for finishing better than fourth, last years finish, at the District 7-3A are not merely based on youth, but on some returning regional qualifiers. Senior Hayden Strealy ran well at last year’s Regional meet in the 110 meter hurdles and looks to return to regional competition and perhaps get to the state meet. Other regional qualifiers from the 2021 season are senior Austin Linn and junior Gentry Weigel in the discus; junior Zachary Carroll in the long jump and triple jump.

Thomas felt the crew of shot putters could add some depth to the team and rack up some points. Junior Josh Tibbets was fourth in district last year with an eye to improve. Ju nior Nathan Mangual and senior Cason Foster have shown improvement in earlier meets this year.

Experience and youth may be just the combination the Eagles need to capture a district crown.

In regard to the youthful relays Thomas said, “Finally I’m going to put three relays out there every week. We’re young. The relay teams will be mostly freshmen and sophomores. They are running well right now so I am well pleased with them.”

Those relays will be the key to the Eagles chances so those underclassmen will need to grow up in a hurry. The District 7-3A meet will be at City View on April 11 and April 14.