Hillers hope to hit stride at county coaches meet
In developing a strong track program, the requirements are pretty simple for success.
Runners run, hurdlers hurdle and throwers throw.
So far, the athletes at Trinity High School are posting some pretty impressive numbers. Seven athletes are ranked in the top 15 on the latest performance sheets released this week. They will try to better their marks when the Washington-Greene County Coaches Track Meet gets underway Saturday morning at Peters Township High School.
The girls team boasts a strong group of sprinters.
Senior Faith Gandy and freshman Alyssa Clutter, are ranked fifth and seventh in the 100 on the performance sheets at 12.40 and 12.50, and eighth and 10th in the 200 at 26.10 and 26.30, respectively.
“Faith has had really good times,” said Trinity coach Sherrie MacKinney. “She’s peaking at the right time, so let’s hope it continues in the right direction.”
Faith’s sister, Kayla, a sophomore, has had an injury-plagued season so far but still posted a time of 61.50 in the 400 dash, 10th best in Class AAA.
“Hopefully, this meet will show me where I am,” said Faith Gandy. “My times have dropped every meet. I’m getting close to my fastest times again.”
The Hillers’ 3,200-meter relay team is 16th in the latest performance sheets with a time of 11:24.24. The 1,600 relay team is 16th with a time of 4:26.64. The 400 relay team has the highest expectations after posting a 50.54 this season, the fourth-best in Class AAA.
But MacKinney decided not to run the relay in this meet because of injuries and the fact Trinity’s prom is tonight, which means a late night of activity. No reason to take a chance when the postseason is fast approaching.
“That group hasn’t run together yet because Kayla is coming off an injury,” said MacKinney. “We’ll see how that goes. We’re balancing so much in track season. You have to let the kids work on things. They balance (track) with soccer. They balance it with dance. I don’t know how they do so much, to be honest with you.”
Other Trinity athletes to keep an eye on:
Senior Julia Chakos, who is second in the long jump at 17-07 and seventh in the triple jump at 34-11 3/4.
Alyssa Clutter, who is fourth in the long jump at 17-02 3/4.
Senior Mayli Bennett, who is eighth in the shot put (34-9), 10th in the discus (109-10) and 13th in the javelin (104-9).
Senior Jarrett Gandy, ranked eighth with a time of 11.10 in the 100 and 13th in the 200 at 23.10 and seventh in the 400 at 51.50.
Junior Brent Clutter, who has the second-best recorded javelin throw at 167-11 and is 13th in the shot put at 44-8.
“Even though we’re coming off prom, I’d like to see some good performances,” said MacKinney. “I’d like to see Julia improve her distances in the long and triple jumps. Brent Clutter is doing really well in the javelin. I want to see him get 170 in the javelin. I’m excited to see what Jarrett Gandy can do in the open 400.”