Troy High track and field team focusing on hard work, not team size

The Troy High School track and field team may have a roster of 10 for a sport with so many events, but with both returning and new athletes throttling up for the season, team size isn’t the number they are focused on.

“If a few more kids came out it would be nice, but, you know, we’ve got a good group of kids. They’re hard workers,” said Head Coach Neil Newton.

The team they have is enjoyable to coach, and both the team and coaches are looking forward to a good season of growth, Newton said.

“We just want the kids that want to be there, and it doesn’t matter numbers,” Newton said. “We want the kids that are going to be here and work hard.”

Senior Royal Johnson has been returning every year, and profiting from his continued effort, Newton said. “He’s been getting better every year in all his events, and we want to see that trend continue.”

Newton also sees continued potential in the younger athletes.

“Hunter Leighty had some good times last year at the beginning of the season in the 400 and other events, and just dealt with some injuries there toward the end of last season,” Newton said. “So, I’m looking forward to a good season there.”

For athletes such as Leighty, conditioning has been a matter of the other sports they play, but they aren’t the only ones keeping active.

“A lot of them just got out of basketball,” Newton said. “And I’ve seen some of them in the weight room during the winter season, so that’s good.”

A few are new not just to the team, but to track and field, Newton said. “So it’ll be fun to work with them, get them into some different events.”

The first track and field event for the Trojans will be the Eureka Invitational on Saturday, April 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Though there are no home events, the Trojans will be at the Libby Invitational on Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. 5 p.m.