2013 Preview: Whiteoak Track & Field
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The Whiteoak boys and girls track & field team is looking for success this season, building off the momentum they had last season as they look forward to the start of the 2013 campaign.
This year, the Lady 'Cats will have around 18 girls on the squad, while the boys will have about 14 members.
The Wildcats, who are coached by Jordan Michael as he is entering his second season year at the helm of WHS, on the girls side return All-Southern Hills Athletic Conference and regional qualifier Clarissa Johnson, who enters her senior year with high expectations.
Last year, as a junior, Johnson won the SHAC in the 100-meter dash (13.2), 200m (27.8), 300 hurdles (53.5) and the long jump (14-09).
The Lady 'Cats also return Morgan Lehr, a senior, as she was not only a part of the SHAC first-place 4x100 relay team (58.6), but she also won the SHAC in the 100m hurdles (18.5). Also returning who were a part of the relay championship team are senior Hope Hicks and sophomore Sunnie Lehr. Gone from the relay team due to graduation is Jessie Gilliland, who was a four-year varsity member.
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"Having Clarissa back is big for our team," Michael said. "She's the best runner in the league, and we're also looking for big things from the rest of the girls teams.
"We have a freshman class that we'll need contribution from as well."
Two of the freshmen who will be looked to make an impact are Kayla Taylor and Liz Resor. Also back are the Lomske twins, Jennah and LeAnna, who didn't run as juniors last year, but during their sophomore seasons, they ran well, according to Coach Michael.
"We want to place in Top 2 in the league this year," Michael said of the girls squad. "Last year, we were three points away from that, but we didn't fill all of the events. We feel we can have participants in all the events this year, so that will help out a lot."
Last season, the girls were third in the SHAC, while the boys were fifth.
The boys don't have a lot of runners and throwers compared to other schools, but Coach Michael said for this team, they will have to focus on individual events.
"I hope to see the kids improve over the year," Michael said. "We want to stay at the pace we were last year. Since we have low numbers, it will be tough to compete in the team scoring."
Back is senior Leonard Becraft, who was all-league last season, as he was first in the discus throw (113-03) and second in the shot put (38-04) and high jump (5-06).
"Leonard is a do-it-all kind of kid," Michael said. "He's a threat to place in any event he's a part of. Last year, he won the league in discus and shot and was in the Top Five in the 100.
"I will say the throwing events are a strength for our boys team this year."
This year, the Lady 'Cats will have around 18 girls on the squad, while the boys will have about 14 members.
The Wildcats, who are coached by Jordan Michael as he is entering his second season year at the helm of WHS, on the girls side return All-Southern Hills Athletic Conference and regional qualifier Clarissa Johnson, who enters her senior year with high expectations.
Last year, as a junior, Johnson won the SHAC in the 100-meter dash (13.2), 200m (27.8), 300 hurdles (53.5) and the long jump (14-09).
The Lady 'Cats also return Morgan Lehr, a senior, as she was not only a part of the SHAC first-place 4x100 relay team (58.6), but she also won the SHAC in the 100m hurdles (18.5). Also returning who were a part of the relay championship team are senior Hope Hicks and sophomore Sunnie Lehr. Gone from the relay team due to graduation is Jessie Gilliland, who was a four-year varsity member.
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"Having Clarissa back is big for our team," Michael said. "She's the best runner in the league, and we're also looking for big things from the rest of the girls teams.
"We have a freshman class that we'll need contribution from as well."
Two of the freshmen who will be looked to make an impact are Kayla Taylor and Liz Resor. Also back are the Lomske twins, Jennah and LeAnna, who didn't run as juniors last year, but during their sophomore seasons, they ran well, according to Coach Michael.
"We want to place in Top 2 in the league this year," Michael said of the girls squad. "Last year, we were three points away from that, but we didn't fill all of the events. We feel we can have participants in all the events this year, so that will help out a lot."
Last season, the girls were third in the SHAC, while the boys were fifth.
The boys don't have a lot of runners and throwers compared to other schools, but Coach Michael said for this team, they will have to focus on individual events.
"I hope to see the kids improve over the year," Michael said. "We want to stay at the pace we were last year. Since we have low numbers, it will be tough to compete in the team scoring."
Back is senior Leonard Becraft, who was all-league last season, as he was first in the discus throw (113-03) and second in the shot put (38-04) and high jump (5-06).
"Leonard is a do-it-all kind of kid," Michael said. "He's a threat to place in any event he's a part of. Last year, he won the league in discus and shot and was in the Top Five in the 100.
"I will say the throwing events are a strength for our boys team this year."