Track season underway at GHS

By: 
Nathan Oster

Weather permitting, the Greybull Buff track team will make its season debut on Saturday at the Wind River Invitational.  

Coach Nolan Tracy begins his first season at the helm of the program after many years of assisting the now-retired Jeff Sukut with a roster of 24 kids.  It’s heavy on underclassmen, with 16 freshmen and sophomores.

Practices began Monday, March 8, and with no snow on the ground, it went well.

“We were able to get outside all five days so that’s a win,” said Tracy. “The kids worked hard.”

With COVID-19 wiping out the entire 2020 season, just about everyone on this year’s team is starting from scratch, according to Tracy.

Leading the squad this year are five seniors: Gaven McColloch, Avery Swiftney, Jesus Hernandez, Kaylyn Burns and Mikayla Foster.

Ryan Smith, Jace Schroyer-Veile and Irving Castro represent the junior class.

The sophomores include Cole Bolzer, Torrey Sanford, Stella Wade, Aiden Reece and Ethan Blair.

Eleven freshmen round out the squad:  Kelsie McColloch, Chaise Benasky, Tyler Searfoss, Matt Reed, Ike Hoffman, Josselyn Jara, Caroline Boyer, Sarah Murph, Katie Murph, Hailey Smith and Daniel Brown.

Hernandez and Smith are the only returnees with state meet experience.  Back in 2019, Hernandez placed 14th and set a personal record in the long jump while Smith was 12th in the 1,600 meters and 13th in the 3,200.

McColloch was a qualifier for that meet, but did not compete due to illness.

Tracy said McColloch, Burns and Hernandez “will be our most experienced seniors and should be competitive in most of the meets they are in,” adding, “The rest are younger or less experienced so time will tell.”

After this weekend, area teams will turn their attention to the Bill Gerrard Invitational, which Greybull will host on Saturday, March 27.  Volunteer help is needed, so if you’re interested in lending a hand, contact Tracy at the high school.

 

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