The McClave track team, like the baseball team, is off to a slow start due to the number of athletes who went to the Basketball State Tournament in Colorado Springs this year.

    With spring break last week, this week will really be the first full week of practice for the McClave runners, jumpers and throwers. With 16 girls and six boys, numbers will be fairly solid for Brianne Howe, McClave track coach.

    After last year's tremendous success with both the boys and girls' teams, one state champion relay team for the girls and Jade Downey, state champion in the 300 hurdles, plus numerous state placings, the McClave track team looks, again, to be one of the top area teams.

    With only six boys out, the numbers won't be as strong as last year's team. Three members of the state placing 400 and 800 relay teams return in seniors Gage Coen and Ethan Williams and junior Darron Williams. Coen also placed seventh at state last year in the 100 and looks to be one of the top sprinters in the area and possibly the state.

    Howe will be looking hard for a fourth member to join these three in having top sprint relays again. Juniors Blayze Melgoza and Mike Weber will run middle distances for McClave, once they get into track shape. Freshman Jimmy Bencomo is out as well, and he could provide some depth for Howe's sprinters and middle distances.
    "We lost Jade, who was an outstanding track athlete and several other senior boys who competed in the jumps and throws. Once we get these six in shape, we could be pretty good in the sprints and all the middle distances. We will have to see if any of them are interested in jumping events. I know that I have six great boys though," said Howe about her boys' team.

    The state champion 800 meter relay team of Brittney Dickerson, Alisha Pettitt, Jerrica Mallard, and Ashley Tague returns intact. This foursome was also second in the 400 relay as well, breaking school records in both events. With Dickerson and Tague nursing minor injuries, it will be some time before the foursome runs together again. Mallard, who was second in the 100 hurdles as well, returns in her specialty as well.
    The sprints will obviously be strong!

    Throwers will include junior sophomore Adrianne Cline and freshman Sydney Curley. Middle and long distances will be in the hands of juniors Natasha Catarello, Shirah Reyher, Tayla Turner,  and sophomore Jordan Melgoza. Freshman Karlee Stuart will do.

 some jumping and running; she could also possibly be a thrower for the girls' team. Other girls out include Deanna Burkett, Anna Kuhns, and Bobbie Jo McClave.

    "It will be slow going for a while, but I am excited to see how our girls will do. With both Brittney (Dickerson) and Ashley (Tague) out for a while, it will hurt our girls' team, but I know what those two can do for us. We should have girls in almost every event, which should be fun this year. With both teams having long basketball seasons, it is going to take us a while to be ready for track, but I know that we will get there," added Howe.