Natalie Shutov, Charger Staff
As the winter sports season comes to a close, everyone is anticipating the
new batch of spring sports. Among the most popular is track. This year, Coach
Bill Wrasman is coaching the boy’s team while Coach Terry Scott is coaching
the girl’s team.
Pre-season, each runner practices individually according to his events, which
include sprint, mid-distance, long-distance, and field events.
According to Coach Wrasman, last year’s strong point was middle and long
distance events, and once again these will be the front-runners.
However, Wrasman plans on focusing and improving in two of the weaker areas:
sprints and field events while Scott’s main concern is the field event
because of a lack of returning throwers. Goals for Scott include going to the
state tournament. This year, strong points for the girls will be in the high-jump,
hurdles and mid distance running.
Many runners are returning this year, hoping to bring the team to a great season.
Rob Porter and Dane Cooper are strong hurdlers. Sprinters include James Lane,
Brandon Grizzard, Johnathan Wilson and John Merit.
Justin Birdwell will star in the mile and 2-mile distance events, while Ben
Pauli and Jesse Dalton are in the half-mile run. Spud Flatt and Neal Jackson
should get into the action in the middle distances this year.
Also, Pauli and Dalton will be returning to the 4x800 -m relay team which was
ranked eighth in Tennessee last season. On the girl’s team, runners include
senior Joanna Gerald who participates in the the long jump, 300-m hurdles and
the 100-m dash; Amanda Lollar, who made it to sectionals last year, in the 1
and 2-mile distance; Ashley Bradley in the high jump; and Nikki Hartford in
the sprints.
Since the track team is anticipating a “much tougher schedule,” both track teams are enduring tough practices to get ready for their first meet, scheduled for March 21 in Crossville.