Track and field has already begun a strong season with their win over the Fowler Redcats at the Redcat Relay on March 4.

The girls? team defeated the Redcats in all five relays. Sixteen girls took first place in five events: the distance medley relay, the sprint medley relay, the 4×100, the 4×200 and the 4×400.

?I have been anxiously awaiting track season since the beginning of school,? Jen Vanden Hoek, ?06, senior girls? captain said. ?As a team we are striving for league champions. Personally I am striving to set a school record in the 4×1 and 4×4 and a personal best record in the shot-put.?

Many of the athletes are looking forward to the season and are setting high goals, both team-wise and personal. The coaches also see a lot of potential in both the girls? and boys? teams.

?I am thrilled to have so many boys and girls on the team,? Ericlee Gilmore, head coach said. ?It is exciting to know that we could win both boys and girls team titles.?

With the return of several strong athletes as well as the many determined additions, coaches are anticipating an exciting season.

?The combination of the new and returning players makes for a quality team,? Larry Orender, long-jump coach, said. ?We are an unbelievably strong track team for both boys and girls.?

New athletes such as sophomores Ryan Brunn and Kim Swift broke school records at the Relay. Swift came in 3rd place for her 14?85? long jump. Brunn came in 1st place in the 100m breaking the record with 11.6 seconds.

Seniors will also play a big role in the leadership and unity of both teams.

?I am excited about the seniors this year,? Gilmore said. ?I am hoping for their enthusiasm, leadership and discipline from them to pull the team together.?

Along side encouraging athletes, goals for league championship seem to inspire team captains.

?I am definitely looking forward to a league championship,? Tim Wilborn, senior boys? captain, said. ?I think this year, our team will place well in every event except pole vaulting. The girls team especially always does well in every event so we have a good chance for league.?

The team will next compete at the Firebaugh relays on March 22.

For more information on track and field, contact Gilmore at [email protected] or read the daily announcements on this paper.