The 2015 track and field team looks to build on last year’s success and is projected to be a state contender in multiple events. There are many notable athletes to watch for.

Sprinters
During football season, junior running back JD Woods was the fastest player on the field. Being speedy is a feeling he is used to. He uses that speed to run the 100 meter, 200 meter, 4×1 and 4×4 for the track team. The 4×1 team is composed of two other football players, sophomore Trey Moore and junior J’mony Bryant.

“We went to state last year and got ninth in the 4×1,” Woods said. “I think the 4×1 boys can win a lot, we can run 41’s and low 42’s [seconds].”

Woods believes he has the chance to vie for a state title.

“I think I have a good chance to make a run at state in the 100m and 200m,” he said.

Jumpers

The long, high and triple jumpers will be led by junior Kyleigh Severa and seniors Tae Shorter and Logan Shields. Shorter is the lone male triple jumper for the boys team and looks to build on last year’s success.

“I’ve been grinding in the offseason,” Shorter said. “It’s all about getting better and beating your personal record.”

Shields, a high and long jumper, recently committed to Cloud County Community College to continue his track career and hopes to use that as momentum to propel him into the season.

“I think committing will give me confidence,” Shields said, “Last year I got eighth in state with 6’4” jump. Hopefully I can win it this year.”

Shields jumped an unofficial 6’8” in the high jump in practice, and with numbers like that he may find himself on the podium come state meet time.

“A 6’8” [jump] would get me first in a lot of meets,” Shields said. “I have to go out and try to do it every meet.”

Girls 4×4

After winning state two years in a row, the girls 4×4 team will pursue a third straight state championship.

The team will be composed of seniors Marissa Pope, Jensen Edwards, Leah Gabler, junior Kyleigh Severa and sophomore Myah Yoder. Last season they used their momentum and won their first title by a tenth of a second and their second title by a full seven seconds.

“We almost broke the state record last year,” Pope said, “It is definitely something we are shooting for this year.”

Preparation for this season has been in the works for all of the girls as they hunt for the three-peat.

“Jensen and Kyleigh have been running indoor track and the rest of the girls have been in speed school,” Pope said, “I have been in basketball.”

The atmosphere of the 4×4 has a big impact on the entire team, and the crowd will certainly be electric moving toward a third straight championship.

“The hype of the 4×4 is huge because its the last event of the night, the lights are on and everyone is around the track,” Pope said.