The 2018 Lady Longhorn track team opens its season today (Thursday) at a four-team meet in Grant. Members of the Chase County team are, front from left, Kaley Hauxwell, Giovanna Welsh, Kayla Schilke, Andrea Page, Lauren Gockley, Ragan Nickless, Peyton Fiedler, second row from left, Dariani Medina, Madison Brown, Hannah Meeske, Ryley Vrbas, Lindsey Mendenhall, Kambree Meeske, Sydnie Allen, Keiry Flores Frescas, Kora Weiss, Sydney Schilke, Mallie McNair, Riley Owens, back from left, Getsemani Hinojosa Pedoza, Sophie Spady, Adelaide Maxwell, Jozie Schilke, Riley Mintling, Kamrie Dillan, Alexis Richmond, Ashley Bubak, Jorja Dannar, Mercedes Peterson, Brooklyn Christensen and Allison Owings. Not pictured—Macy Coleman, Madison Schuller and Chleo Soltis. (Johnson Publications photo)
Lady Longhorns ready for opener with tons of talent back this year
There was no discussion of a possible state championship three-peat, but Lady Longhorn Track Coach Troy Hauxwell has another team this season with loads of talent.
He’s looking forward to seeing some marks and times against other teams when Chase County competes in its season opener today (Thursday).
The Lady Longhorns will be among four teams at the Perkins County Quad in Grant on Thursday, which will also draw teams from Dundy Co. Stratton and South Platte.
Field events will start the meet at 3:30 p.m.
Running events kick off at 4:15 p.m. with the 3200 meter relay.
Only finals will be held in the running events with placings based on time, while field event participants will get four jumps or throws. Team scores will not be tallied, and individual place medals will not be awarded.
While athletes will be limited to four events, teams can enter as many individuals and relay teams as they choose, Hauxwell said.
Hauxwell will likely limit his older athletes to three events, with most of the younger ones in two.
“For us this week, we’re looking to get some marks and times down, where we’re at with other teams and where we might want to move some people around,” Hauxwell said.
He said that will give them some answers for the big Ogallala Invitational the following week on March 29.
Practice going well
While he has yet to have the full team of 34 athletes at practice due to other activities, Hauxwell said the overall team condition is pretty good.
There are a lot of pieces to the process, he said, and he wants the team at its best when the SPVA and district meets come around.
With the number of conflicting activities and a shorter basketball season this year, he chose to get the girls out on the track the first day allowed by the NSAA on Feb. 26.
“It was important to get them out as early as possible,” he said.
Among the roster this year are 20 to 25 returning letterwinners, and five athletes who competed at state last year—Peyton Fiedler, Mallie McNair, Adelaide Maxwell, Andrea Page and Allison Owings.
While the Lady Longhorns lost a huge talented senior class, especially in the relays, Hauxwell said he has a lot of talent on the team again.
Regarding the three relays, all of which won gold at the State Class C Meet last year, he said there are a lot of girls who will be able to step into those roles.
McNair, a sophomore, who ran on the 1600 and 3200 meter gold medal relay teams last season, and junior Maxwell on the 400 team are the only returning relay runners from last year’s championship teams.
However, Hauxwell didn’t appear worried about filling those spots left by the graduating seniors. All three relay teams will compete well this season, he said.
“I’m excited to see where those relay teams will go,” he added.
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