By JIM LUKSIC
The Progress
On the precipice of a new campaign, the Virgin Valley High School (VVHS) track and field teams have fewer athletes than last season, but they’re making do.
Bulldogs boys head coach Skyler Gleave, starting his second season at the helm, estimated 20 boys and only 11 girls in the mix as the calendar turned to March. The squads have been preparing since Feb. 17, he said.
Their first track meet is slated for Thursday, March 7 at Boulder City, where only a few Bulldogs are expected to participate. A day later, VVHS hosts the Ken Jensen Invitational – previously known as the Early Bird – at 2:30 p.m, where eight to 12 teams are expected to compete.
Gary Hartman, the Lady Bulldogs head coach, asserted practices were “going well” despite the low turnout on the girls’ side.
“Numbers are a concern, and we don’t have those – but we have some very talented athletes,” he said, singling out junior Audrey Fiso, along with seniors Jenna Walters and Jasmine Aguilar.
Hartman described Fiso, who won the discus event at State last year, as “one of the better throwers around.” Gleave pointed out that she is equally strong at the shot put, while freshman Braylan Dickason chimed in, “Audrey is really good!”
At the onset of her third season participating, Fiso has set high standards. “I want to win State in both discus and shot put,” she said, adding that she enjoys the competition and likes the Bulldogs’ coaching staff.
Walters, who Hartman referred to as a “quality kid,” is a distance runner who sustained a foot injury last season.
On the boys side, there are expectations for a handful of senior standouts: pole vaulter Dylan Vellinga; sprinter and jumper Chase Otteson; Dylan Barnum; and Jeremy Gossett.
“Shot put is the only thing I found that I’m good at,” Gossett said with a smile, before adding that his main goal this campaign is to throw 45 to 50 feet. He also predicted a few teammates could qualify for State “with ease.”
Prior to the Bulldogs’ opening meet, their veteran head coach’s forecast straddled the border of cautious and optimistic.
“We have a pretty young bunch overall, but they’re promising kids,” Hartman said. “I think we will get better as the season goes on.”
