THS track team preps for season

Driving in and out of town, Troy High School track coach Neil Newton can only smile when he sees Jacob Lopez putting in roadwork. The Trojan junior experienced a taste of success in long-distance running last season and hopes to elevate his performance this year.

“I’m excited to see what he can do this year in the two-mile,” Newton said. “He’s been working hard and doing a lot of preseason workouts.”

THS opens its season on Thursday at the Libby Time Trials.

Seniors Cullen Metz and Tom Roeder in the weight events and sophomore Ryan Rayson in the high jump are among the other top returnees to the Trojan squad.

“Metz and Roeder – that’s where all of our experience is at with those two in the discus and shot put,” Newton said. “Ryan Rayson is the only returnee that went to state last year. He went in the high jump and I’m looking forward to seeing him go to a higher level.”

Senior Kalip Gregory (javelin) and sophomore Cory Orr (jumps) are other athletes to keep a good eye on out of the boys’ field events.

Newton said overall, the team is young with most of its experience found among the throwers. In the sprints, sophomore Blayne Metz and freshman Ricky Roach show promise.

The Trojan girls are also young and have only two returnees that competed last season – sophomore throwers Ashley Morkeberg and Sarah McLeod.

“They’ve showed improvement and I expect to continue to see that this year,” Newton said.

Only six girls are on the roster.

“We’ve got some freshmen and one senior that came out, Ashley Suber,” Newton said. “She has some speed so we’ll see what she can do with that.”

Overall, Newton was happy with the turnout this spring. As of last week, he had 25 athletes on the team.

The Trojans had originally planned to open the season this past weekend at the Bonners Ferry Invitational. Instead, Troy will participate in Thursday’s Libby Time Trials – an unscored meet that gives schools a chance to participate in a competitive environment.

“You just go and get your times and distances,” Newton said. “The kids are able to go and try different things when there’s not as much pressure.”

Troy will then head to the Columbia Falls Time Trials on April 10 before competing at Thompson Falls on April 15.

Varsity Schedule

April 1    at Libby Time Trials    2 p.m.

April 10    at Columbia Falls

    Time Trials    10 a.m.

April 15    at Thompson Falls    Noon

April 17    at Bigfork Invite    10 a.m.

April 24    at Libby Invite    10 a.m.

April 29    at Eureka Invite    2 p.m.

May 1    at Superior Invite    TBA

May 4    Lincoln County Meet

    at Eureka    3 p.m.

May 6    at Noxon Invite    TBA

May 8    Archie Roe Invite

    at Kalispell    10 a.m.

May 15-16    District 7-B Meet

    at Eureka    TBA

Note: The divisional meet is scheduled for May 21-22 at Missoula. The Class B state track meet is scheduled for May 28-29 at Laurel.