Track Coach Darrin Scheffer and the track and field athletes are looking forward to a banner year in 2014, with ten more athletes and several strong veterans ready to go in nine multi-school meets, plus a league championship meet in May.

Because some kids participate in other sports in the fall and winter, Scheffer knows that group is in shape for running the track. Willie Blackmon is a good example, he says, because he plays football in the fall and works out between football and track seasons. “Willie did two miles in 11 minutes on tryout day. He’s ready to go,” Scheffer says.

The others get worked out every day, though some of them don’t round into condition until the meets start. “Meets are practices too,” the coach says. “Not only for getting in shape, but also for trying out new events.”

Blackmon in the 300 meter hurdles is the coach’s pick for having the best chance to get into the state championships. “He keeps getting better, and he works hard,” says Scheffer. Willie holds the school record in the hurdle event and he’s gone to the state championships two years in a row.

“He’ll also anchor our 4X100 meter relay team – the first time we’ve had enough team speed to compete in that race,” Scheffer said. The other relay team member will be Danil Sonjaya, Jerry Gan and Sergio Trujillo.

Other athletes who keep improving and may have a chance at post-season competition include Alaina Scheffer in the javelin, Kyle Jangard in the high jump, Lenora Johnson in the discus and Megan Wilson, who missed qualifying for the state meet by two inches, in the long jump.

“They’ll all do well and we hope they’ll all get better as the season progress,” Scheffer says.  — Steve Wehrly