It’s track season

As the snow melts off the track the season will get into the full swing. Here are some athletes to watch.

Mike Flores – Maize

Can he break a 16-year-old state record in the quarter? Flores ran 48.71 at the state meet last season in great running conditions. The current state record is 46.76. Two-seconds in the quarter is a huge leap, but Flores is by far the best returning quarter-miler in the state as he was the only runner to break 48-seconds at state last season. Flores will also look to win the 200-meter dash.

Robbie Garcia – Wichita Northwest

He pulled a huge upset in the 1600-meter as a sophomore with a tactical win. He will look to defend his 1600-meter title and add a 3200-meter title, but defending champion Jake Wike of Derby and cross country champion Brayden Barrientez of Campus will have something to say in both the distance races.

Alex Muff – Concordia

Muff is the lone returner of an outstanding trio of hurdlers from a traditionally strong hurdling school. She was the state champion in the 100-meter hurdles and took fourth in the 300-meter hurdles last season.

Young Pole Vaulters

Jamie House of El Dorado won 4A girls pole vault last season as a freshman. Nate Arnold of Carroll was third as a freshman for the Golden Eagles. Ben Horsch of Andale returns for his junior season after a winning 4A state as a sophomore.

Tom O’Connell – Andover

O’Connell finally got his long awaited cross country championship last fall in an undefeated senior season. He will try to recreate that success on the track with several difficult meets on his schedule. O’Connell is the defending 3200-meter champion and will look to win the distance double this spring.

Anyone I left out? Let me know and leave a comment!