Spartans hit track running
Dec. 6—SAWMILLS — Optimism is on a high note for South Caldwell's indoor track and field team.
Several promising athletes return. The season begins today (Wednesday) with the Polar Bear Meet at Bunker Hill.
"Indoor track and field is a sport that meets the needs for many different high school-level athletes." South coach Jason Childers said on Tuesday. "For those students seriously invested in track and field, the winter months give an extra season of building strength, speed, and fitness."
Returning are distance runners Parker and Levi Bowman, the junior twins.
"They enter the season highly competitive, coming off an impressive fall cross country campaign," Childers said.
The coach is also counting on contributions at middle distance and distance from Joshua Harris and Sam Harris.
Alex Mabry returns at pole vault. Experienced shot put throwers are Jakeb Morrison and Noah Brown.
Newcomers for the boys are sprinters Dorian Arnold, Khian Oates, Logan Hinson, Hunter Philvaw and Riley Price.
Back for the girls are standouts Ally Rawls, Skyla Corey and Jenna Suddreth.
Rawls paces the long, triple and high jumps — as well as shot put. ""We look for her to leave her mark in the field events," the coach said.
Corey was a 4A regional qualifier in the 55 hurdles, and "looks to improve this winter," her coach said.
Suddreth competes in the sprints and pole vault.
Girls' new additions are distance runners Clara Noble, Lexi Pennell, Payton Anderson and Pyper Cable. That includes the 1,000 through 3,200 meters.
Most meets for this indoor season in Western North Carolina are held outdoors due to a lack of indoor track & field facilities.
"All setting up a more complete training cycle for outdoor track and field," Childers said. "For some athletes, indoor track and field is a great change of pace; or 'between season' sport where fall and/or spring student-athletes that play other sports spend time improving their fitness and skill set.
"Finally, for some athletes, track and field is a great sport to get into for those that might not have had the opportunity to join a team sport to date — since a large part of the development and training focuses on the individual athlete," Childers added.
January will feature Polar Bear Meets at South Caldwell (12th) and Alexander Central (30th). The Polar Last Chance Meet is at Fred. T. Foard (30th), while the state championships are Feb. 11 at JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem.
