GCHS girls' track team sets high hopes for the season

The Inside Lane With Brian Soules, Grant County High School Girls' Track and Field Coach

Q: Who are some of your top returning runners, and why?

A: Our top returning runner this year is junior Natalie Norman. Last year, as a sophomore, she was the regional champion in the 800 meter run and finished third in the Class AAA state meet running a personal best time of 2:21.

Q: Who are some notable newcomers that could make an impact?

A: It is still early in the season to determine which newcomers will have any significant impact.

Q: What are some team strengths this season?

A: Natalie Norman will lead a strong and experienced group of middle-long distance runners this year, including senior Emily Yaeger, junior Kim Simpson, sophomores Sarah Parker and Chelsea Hall and freshman Rebekah Brewer.

Q: In what areas do you hope to see improvement throughout the year?

A: We are always looking to improve in all areas of the team. Points of emphasis this year will be in the jumping events (high, long and triple) and continuing to develop our young sprinting talent.

Q: What are some team goals this year?

A: Our team goal this year is completely focused on moving into the top three in the region. We have been building upon great individual performances in the past to gain experience and depth. This year, I believe we can make a great impact on the region, and we will have numerous regional champions, regional runner-ups and individual scorers at the regional meet. Then we will look to the state meet to make our community proud and bring back state honors.

Q: How tough will it be to replace the seniors who graduated last season?

A: Graduation did hit us hard last year. Losing Caitlyn Anglin, Meghan McDaniel and Amber Billiter, who combined were major contributors to team scores last year, will be a difficult task. But with their departure, opportunties open up for other girls to step forward and find their niche. Amber, who was a regional champion in the shot put and regional runner-up in the discus last year, led a strong throwing team that will be led this year by senior Salena McIntosh. Megan's experience will be missed, but her work with our young sprinters will pay nice dividends this season. Replacing Caitlyn, who qualified for the state meet last year in the high jump, will be the most challenging for our team. The high jump is such a specialized event, finding a strong, talented candidate for it can be difficult. We will be doing a lot of trial and error this year. Natalie No