Carson ready to hit track today

Carson High track coach Bob Maw is a happy man these days, and with good reason.

He has more than 100 athletes between his boys and girls teams, including state 3,200-meter champion Richard Shroy, who also ran on the Senators' distance medley relay team.

"This is the most well-rounded team we've had," Maw said. "We have a lot of strength depth."

Carson opens its season at 9 a.m. today with a four-way meet at Spanish Springs in Sparks.

SPRINTS (100-200-400)

Girls: Julianne King, Emily Field, Krista Baumgartner, Alli Cowan

Boys: Ian Gunn, Tyler Jensen, Gabe Pongasi.

Baumgartner, who is currently out with an injury, qualified for state last year in the 400.

"We've picked up Ian Gunn, and he's looking good so far," Maw said. Gunn will run sprints and will be on at least one relay squad.

DISTANCES

(800, 1600, 3200)

Girls: Caroline Monteil is slated to run the 800. Katie McFarren, Amber Karnofel, Amanda Gordon, April Shonnard and Erika Sosa will run the 1,600 and 3,200.

Boys: McMasters and Brandon Buonacorsi will run the 800, while Schlager, Logan Philippi and Shroy will run the 1,600 and 3,200.

"We have a lot of depth (girls and boys)," said Jeanne Stelzer, who coaches the distance runners. "We'll be able to mix and match a little bit. I want to try and get Richard a 1,600 time, but he'll concentrate on the 3,200 for state."

100 AND 300 HURDLES

Girls: Morgan McEwan. Boys: Luke Carter, Buonacorsi.

SHOT PUT AND DISCUS

Girls: Jennifer Van Sickle, Jessica Partridge and Erica Valenzuela.

Boys: Blake McCoy, Nick Bukowy and Aaron Mangione.

"Everybody is basically brand new," said Mike Louisiana, the Senators' throws coach. "We're a month away.

"Out of seven kids, six are throwing better than when they started. I'm pretty excited about that. Valenzuela has improved by 15 feet (in the discus)."

Van Sickle had tremendous success on the volleyball court, and Louisiana is hoping her athleticism helps her in the shot pout and discus.

JUMPS

Girls: Hannah Dudley, Kenzie Tillett and Alex Fallon, who barely missed qualifying for the state meet last year.

Boys: Carter, Evan Pearson and Pongasi.

"Alex competed in some meets in California and went 33-3," Maw said. "Luke is looking good. He has great speed and strength. I expect him to go 20 feet every meet (in the long jump)."

Pearson went 22 feet as a sophomore. He has a solid shot at going to state if he can regain his form of two years ago.

RELAYS

Girls: They qualified for state in both the 800- and 1,600-meter relay events, and Stelzer believes that Carson could do the same thing this year. Baumgartner, King, Field, Ward, Tiffany Thompson and McEwan could run in either or both relays.

Boys: They return three runners - Shroy, McMasters and Schlager from the 3,200 relay, which at one time held the fastest time in the state. Look for Buonacorsi or Philippi to fill the last spot.

Carter, Gunn, Pongasi and Jensen are currently the Senators' top 400 group.