(Anita) When and if the track season starts up the CAM girls are setting the bar high.
With several key returners from last season coach Luke Symonds believes the group is capable of winning the Rolling Valley Conference. He breaks down the other contenders in the RVC. “A goal for this year is to do really, really well at conference. I’d say the goal is to go win conference. Woodbine is good, Boyer Valley has some good runners, West Harrison beat us by a few points last year.”
Symonds is sending workouts, but of course it’s up to the runners to do the work on their own individually. The Cougars have a deep and talented group of throwers. “Our two shot putters are Molly Venteicher and Mallory Behnken. We have Allison Spieker and Molly Venteicher in the discus. Based on last year’s performances they would be one and two returning in the conference.” Venteicher and Behnken each had throws among the top 25 in the shot put last year in the state. Spieker was able to top 100 feet last season in the discus with a personal best of 101-07.5.
The strength in field events continues in the high jump with Jade Jackson who is a two-time state qualifier. “As a freshman she went 4-10 to qualify for state, last year she went 5-00 to qualify for state. Now she’s stronger than she’s ever been.” Symonds feels she’s capable of getting at least 5-02 if not 5-04.
Zoey Baylor, Mallorie Peach, Marissa Spieker, Jade Jackson, and Abby Follman are some of the top returning sprinters. In distance races, Maddy Holtz and Emily Plagman are some of the top prospects. There are some freshmen that could make an impact as well.
He says the success these athletes have had in middle school has carried over to the high school level as they’ve brought a winning mindset to the program.
