Layton Track & Field Employed With Hopeful Anticipation
After a hard fought season last year the Lancer’s Track and Field team is diligently working towards surpassing personal and school records. This year’s team is led by coaches Bell, Katoa and Ferdin; as well as their appointed team captains, Chandler Obray and Mikyla Dickerson. Track and Field encompasses a large scope of events ranging from sprinting to high jumping to throwing a javelin. This year’s standouts in racing events include Juniors: Declan Brown, Abby Smith and Katrina Broadhead and Seniors: Julian Blackmon, Keoni Larsen and Charlie Smith, all hoping to qualify for state. Two of the previous state basketball champs, Chandler Obray and Hailey Bassett, are dominating their field events. Obray has qualified for state in the high jump with a PR of 6’9 and the school record just half an inch away. Team captain Dickerson has high hopes for the jumper claiming, “I believe he can take state this year, he’s awesome.” Bassett, a rookie in the sport, is already looking to qualify for state in the javelin. However, success in this sport is only experienced when individuals work together towards a common goal.
When questioned about the strengths and weaknesses of the team many of the athletes including the captains agreed that their success rate is dependent upon each participant’s commitment. Although many have expressed concern in this regard, Dickerson remains hopeful, “People can always put in more effort, but this year we’ve had so much commitment, more so than we’ve ever had before.”
With the hopes of a state title looming over their heads, the coaches have continually altered their training regiments in order to maximize each competitor’s prospects. “We’re focusing more on building our strength now because a lot of us came out with strong PR’s right out of the gates,” commented Jairen Clayton. Although Clayton is new to the team this year he has already proven himself to be a very valuable asset. He disclosed his goal of cutting seven seconds off of his 400 meter sprint. Clayton’s hopes are likely fueled by the intense rivalry existing between the Layton, Davis and Syracuse track teams. As Layton goes head to head with one of their contenders, Davis, the Lancers have the potential to surpass them in some of their strongest events.
The age old rivalry between the Lancers and the Darts presses onward as the sprinters remain neck and neck. In the 100 meter dash, Keoni Larsen is less than .5 seconds away from conquering his strongest Davis competitor. Katrina Broadhead on the other hand, has bested the top Davis 100 meter female by .34 seconds. In the 4x100 our relay team presses on with a .2 second lead. The standings show we are currently tied at a 6’9 high jump and have overpowered the darts by 2 inches in the long jump.
With many participants working hard toward state titles, the Lancers continue to strive to attain personal bests as well as school records. In regards to this pursuit, many of the captains stated, if the effort is there the results will follow. Some assume, seeing that the Layton track and field team is among the sparsest, that they enter at a disadvantage, but team captain Obray contested, “We may be few in numbers, but we’re big in heart.” With this in mind, the team moves forward with hopeful anticipation for the season.
Jamie Brian and Sydney Johnson, LHS Centurion
When questioned about the strengths and weaknesses of the team many of the athletes including the captains agreed that their success rate is dependent upon each participant’s commitment. Although many have expressed concern in this regard, Dickerson remains hopeful, “People can always put in more effort, but this year we’ve had so much commitment, more so than we’ve ever had before.”
With the hopes of a state title looming over their heads, the coaches have continually altered their training regiments in order to maximize each competitor’s prospects. “We’re focusing more on building our strength now because a lot of us came out with strong PR’s right out of the gates,” commented Jairen Clayton. Although Clayton is new to the team this year he has already proven himself to be a very valuable asset. He disclosed his goal of cutting seven seconds off of his 400 meter sprint. Clayton’s hopes are likely fueled by the intense rivalry existing between the Layton, Davis and Syracuse track teams. As Layton goes head to head with one of their contenders, Davis, the Lancers have the potential to surpass them in some of their strongest events.
The age old rivalry between the Lancers and the Darts presses onward as the sprinters remain neck and neck. In the 100 meter dash, Keoni Larsen is less than .5 seconds away from conquering his strongest Davis competitor. Katrina Broadhead on the other hand, has bested the top Davis 100 meter female by .34 seconds. In the 4x100 our relay team presses on with a .2 second lead. The standings show we are currently tied at a 6’9 high jump and have overpowered the darts by 2 inches in the long jump.
With many participants working hard toward state titles, the Lancers continue to strive to attain personal bests as well as school records. In regards to this pursuit, many of the captains stated, if the effort is there the results will follow. Some assume, seeing that the Layton track and field team is among the sparsest, that they enter at a disadvantage, but team captain Obray contested, “We may be few in numbers, but we’re big in heart.” With this in mind, the team moves forward with hopeful anticipation for the season.
Jamie Brian and Sydney Johnson, LHS Centurion