Shannon Litz/Nevada Appeal
Ten days and counting.
That’s when the 2014 track season gets started for Carson High School. The Senators will host Manogue, Spanish Springs and Reno at 9 a.m. in the first of seven different meets hosted at the Jim Frank Track & Field Complex this year.
Carson has more than 100 kids signed up for track and field this year, and only 13 of those athletes are seniors, a fact that has coach Robert Maw excited.
The boys squad is headed by Corey Reid (high jump, 400, relays), Asa Carter (long jump, triple jump) and Dakota Baker (hurdles). All three reached the state meet in individual events a year ago.
Reid was fourth in the high jump at 6-5 and fifth in the 400 at 49.44. Carter was sixth in the triple jump (43-10.5) and Baker was sixth in the 300 hurdles (41.22).
Reid is probably the most versatile CHS athlete. He can run anything from the 400 to 1600 as well as the high jump. He’s been competing in decathlons the last couple of years, so Maw could move him around at times in an effort to pick up more points in dual or four-way meets.
Maw said he expects all three to make a return trip to state.
“Corey has already run a 49.3, and he didn’t do that until late last year,” Maw said. “He comes into the season in good shape. We’re going to have Asa work more with the long jump. He’s going to be in both jumping events. I think he could make state in both. Dakota went with Corey to some meets in California over the summer. He’s looking good, and I think he can make state in both events.”
Maw is also counting on Joey Thurman (sprints), Anthony Estrada (400, relays), Ian Schulz (weights), Chris Miranda (weights), Josue Orozco (weights), Anthony Cacioppo (distance) and Daniel Jauregui (distance).
“Joey is solid,” Maw said. “He’ll run sprints and a couple of the relays. Anthony Estrada is a good, solid 400 runner and he’ll run the 400 relay. Schulz is still young. He needs to be more disciplined with the implements. He has great potential. Miranda threw well as a freshman.”
The girls squad is led by state-meet returnees Madison Preston (jumps), Teresa Boehmer (throws), Alex Drozdoff (distance), Cindy Juchtzer (distance), Eveline Delgado (distance ) and Jesse Balkwell (distance).
Preston was third in the long jump and triple jump, while the 3200 relay team of Drozdoff, Balkwell, Delgado and Juchtzer was fourth in 9:55.14.
“Madison dinged up her ankle in basketball, but it’s getting better,” Maw said. “She’s going to do all three jumps. She has a chance to make state in all three.”
Preston enters the year with bests of 5-2 (high jump), 17-9 (long jump) and 36-6 ¾ (triple jump).
Boehmer was ninth in the shot at state. Maw said throws coach Mike Louisiana has been working hard with Boehmer on the discus. Boehmer has a best of 32-7 in the shot and 103-6 in the discus.
Favero was eighth in the 300 hurdles in 48.29. Her best is a 46.65. She can also run the 200 and 400.
Delgado, the Senators’ No. 1 cross-country performer, has bests of 5:31.99 (1600) and 12:16.82 (3200). Drozdoff had bests last year of 5:36.66 and 12:05.01, respectively. Juchtzer ran 5:40.18 and 12:07 last year. Balkwell’s best event is the 800 (2:28.90). She has run a 5:54.03 in the 1600.
Maw also has been impressed with newcomers Valerie Sue Meyer (sprints) and Sahara Winder (200, 400).
Kayla Aikins (800, high jump) also returns as does Josilyn Daggs, who missed last year with a knee injury.
Maw said Daggs could run anything from the 100 to 400 and possibly run the low hurdles, too.