It's quite conceivable both the Perryville's boys and girls track and field teams will be competing against the state's best squads over Memorial Day weekend with a championship on the line. Until then, coach Jake Moore wants his team to focus on only one opponent. "Our goal is to not beat ourselves," he said. "Our message is that they might get beat by another team, but don't beat themselves. Our number one opponent is ourselves. If we don't beat ourselves, we will end up where we want to be." The Perryville girls captured three state titles last year and finished second in the team competition behind Manchester Valley. Sierra Montz returns to lead the squad. Montz won a state title in the 300 hurdles, was third in the triple jump, fourth in the long jump, and seventh in the high hurdles. The Panthers also won gold in both the 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 relays and return Autumn Estep and Alysa Conway from those teams. The 4 x 100 relay team that placed fifth in the state and set a school record returns sophomores Conway, Brooke Doane, and Christen Dodson. Doane also placed seventh in the triple jump. All three Perryville pole vaulters placed last year and are back. Natalie Owens finished fifth followed by Hailey McDonald (tied for sixth) and Paiton Kelly (eighth). McDonald was third in the high jump with Teri Wennersten tied for seventh. Erika Scheppelmann also qualified for states last season. Kayla Losoya and Mollie Lipka add quality depth behind Montz in the hurdles. Perryville will rely on Jillian Miller and Taylor Edwards in the throwing events. Several newcomers could have an impact. Katelyn Broughman, a transfer from Kenwood High, has shown promise in the sprints and jumps as have freshmen Tyeisha Peaker and Hailey Petree and transfer Jaleea Woods. Freshman Jarah Cevis will contribute in the throws. The Panthers appear prepped for a state title bid. "They were second place last year," coach Raissa Moore said. "They're thirsty for more." The Perryville boys, state champs in 2012 and 2013, placed fourth last year. The Panthers return pole vaulters Corban Porch and Cam Crosler. Porch won the state indoor title and was fifth outdoors last spring. Crosler finished fifth last spring. Freshman Cage Jones was seventh indoors. Elijah Johnson was fifth in the long jump last spring. Jake Moore says the Panthers have the potential to have three 40-foot triple jumpers which would likely make them the only 1A with that kind of talent and depth. Johnson has already reached that mark as has Rising Sun transfer Marquis Topp, a state qualifier last spring. Crosler has triple jumped 38 feet. Ben Kuhn, seventh in the discus last spring, will lead the throwers. Teryl Cain, Joe Rinehart, and Dakota Ward will contribute. The Panthers hope to get Jeff Pollard back from injury. Tyler McCall, Ben Douty, Ryan Kiger and Mitchell Johansen, third indoors in the 4 x 800 relay, will head the list of distance runners along with Matt Salvatore, a former lacrosse player who has had success in cross country. Jacobo Negron will also chip in. Melvin Dowdy is expected to score points in hurdles. Perryville has a great deal of depth in the sprints with Johnson, TyRell Hollingsworth, Zach Buckson, Ryan Norris, Tyleke Johnson, Anthony Hernandez, Alex Hernandez, Topp, Dayvon Montz, Caleb Robinson, and Kaiden Neff. "Our expectations are to keep the train on the tracks. This team reminds me of the state championship teams in 2012 and 2013 so far," Moore said, emphasizing the "so far". "We will see how this team handles adversity over the course of the season. We have to keep our eyes on the prize. There are no trick plays in track. If you want to win you have to look at yourself in the mirror. We're going to focus on being the best we can be. I'm optimistic we'll be an exciting team to watch in May." Comments are closed.
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