TRACK: Carson boys look for big year

Robert Maw doesn't mince words when he talks about his Carson High boys track team.

"I expect a good year from the boys," Maw said while putting his female jumpers through a workout at Morse Burley Gym. "We're very well rounded."

That's an understatement. The Senators, who open their season Saturday at 9 a.m. at Bishop Manogue, are strong in nearly every category and have 75 boys in their program thus far.

Maw has some solid performers in Corey Reid (HJ, 400, 800, 1600, 100, 200), Matt Nolan (200, 400), Dakota Baker (hurdles), Joey Thurman (100, 200, long jump), Taylor Bradshaw (200, 400, 800, 1600, relays), Nathan Hazard (shot, discus), Aaron Cowee (shot, discus), Levi Carter (shot, discus), Aaron Woodbury (pole vault, triple jump, long jump), Zach Heinz (400, 800, relays), Stefan Sobkiewicz (jumps, vault), Nick Greene (distance), Daniel Jauregui (distance) and Porforio Jauregui (distance).

"Corey can do a lot of things," Maw said. "He's one of the fastest sprinters we have. I can use him anywhere from the 100 to the 1600. He ran a 4:35 in a decathlon. We're hoping for 6-3 or 6-4 in the high jump."

Bradshaw left Carson at the end of the last school year and went to live with a relative in Sacramento. He's back now, and teams with Reid, Nolan, Michael Samii and Zach Heinz to give Carson a pretty strong 200-400 group.

"That's a pretty strong group," Maw said. "Matt has looked real good since we started practice."

Bradshaw ran a 1:59.80 in the 800, a 50.66 400 in the 4A regional and 23.90 in the 200. He also eclipsed 5 minutes in the 1600.

Hazard threw 45-5 3/4 last year, tops on the team. Cowee, a football standout, threw 43-6 1/2 a year ago.

"Cowee is throwing almost 50 feet in practice," Maw said.

Daniel Jauregui ran 2:13 in the 800, 4:54.4 in the 1600 and 10:46.18 in the 3200. His brother, Porforio, has times of 2:16.8, 5:06.79 and 10:54.33 in the same three events. Greene has a 4:56.78 in the 1600 and 10:55.65 in the 3200.

Maw is also expecting some big things from freshman Asa Carter, who set a national triple jump record at Carson Middle School last year.

Maw believes Carter can be a 20-foot long jumper this year, and is expecting huge things from Carter next year and the year after.

GIRLS

Maw said the turnout was small - 37- for this year's squad. Despite the numbers, he has several standout performers.

The first is Elena Thurman, who ran the 100 (13.14), 200 (27.68), ran relay legs and triple jumped 35-3 at last year's state meet. Barring injury, she stands a good chance to reach state again.

Maw also expects big things from sophomore Madison Preston in the long jump (16-2), triple jump (33-3) and high jump (4-10). Preston will be pushed in the latter event by sophomore Kayla Aikins, who also posted a 4-10 last year. Aikins ran a 2:35.5 last year, third-best on the team.

Senior Maddi Saarem vaulted 10-7 last April, but her event is loaded again this year. Athena Favero, a freshman, is expected to do well in the hurdles. She ran cross-country in the fall, but Maw doesn't expect to use her in any running event higher than the 400 meters. Sahara Winder ran a team-best 59.99 a year ago in the 400 and a 2:35.36 in the 800.

Carson has a strong distance contingent (1600, 3200) with Alex Drozdoff (5:30.15, 12:08.88) and Cindy Juchtzer (5:50.50, 13:06.58).

The throws contingent is led by Makayla Ragnone (32-8, 83-3) and Courtney Hack (31-5 1/2, 87-7 3/4). Theresa Boehmer threw 32-feet and 89-2, respectively, last season.