The Solanco boys track and field team might not have to wait 21 years to win another section title. The Mules ended a long drought last season and are the favorites to repeat, coach Ivan Haines conceded. "I think we are," he said after a pause. "We're hoping to win it again." Troy Miller and Billy Cooney will once again spark Solanco. Miller was sixth in the state in the high jump last year after placing second as a sophomore. Cooney was fifth in the high hurdles last spring.
"I think they will do better than before," Haines said. "They've been working hard in the weight room. They are already starting this year where they ended up last year." Newcomer Robbie McHugh, a junior, will help Miller in the jumps. Senior Prosper Equzouwa tops the list of sprinters along with Jayson Hopkins and Eric Hopkins, and Dennis Mitchem. Brit Yoder, Sam Seigrist, and Nick Boulé enter the season as Solanco's top middle distance runners. The Mules' major losses to graduation came in the distance races, but Liam Hodgson and Keith Carnrike both return. Kyle Williams, Noah McCardell, and Gary Doubts lead the list of throwers. "We are again setting individual goals as well as a team goal of finishing at the top of our section," Haines said. "We will be judging our success for both teams on meeting the athletes' individual goals." Jen Eberly, a district qualifier in the 110 hurdles, will help lead the girls squad. Morgan Perry and Cortney Johnson will spearhead the distance corps. Cayla Robinson and Ashley Mundorff are the team's top returning throwers. Troyanna Miller will also contribute. Solanco is also relying on Abby Stull (sprints), Haley Killian (middle distance), Hannah Myer (hurdles), Jada Brown, (jumps), and Aubree Roop (distance). Haines wishes he had more than 35 athletes on the girls team, but is pleased with the mix of talented veterans and promising freshmen and sophomores. "It may be tough [to win meets] because we don't have enough girls to fill every event," Haines said. "It will be hard to pick up seconds and thirds and they are what wins meets. If the girls meet their individual goals, we will have a successful year." Comments are closed.
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