Lapel track and field teams prepares for the season

LAPEL — High school sports teach many things, and one is the journey is more important than the destination. For Lapel track this season, coaches Krista Loller and Brian Williams have several goals for their team, but they’re not looking for the trophy wins.

With less than 30 athletes — boys and girls combined — out for track and field this year, the Bulldogs won’t have the numbers to fill every slot.

But that’s not stopping anyone from making this season work for them.

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“We have to figure out what our strengths are,” Williams said. “We’ve got some gaps to fill.”

In the distance events, the Bulldogs have some experience. Sophomore Luke Combs returns. As a freshman, Combs finished fourth in the 1,600 meters at sectional. He finished eighth in the 800 meters.

So, this season, Williams is looking for Combs to continue to perform, and junior Jakob Addington joins Combs in the distance events.

In fact, several freshmen who saw sectional competition last year return to the Bulldogs this season.

Luke Rich, Jesse McCurdy, Killian O’Connor and Malachi Qualls all placed in the top 15 in their events.

“Right now, though, we’re not in a place where we can necessarily say this is how it’ll play out,” Williams said. “We do have some individuals that are really good in their positions.”

Senior Toby Metzger has earned a leadership role on the team and with his on-track performance. Metzger’s events range from the 100- to 400-meter dashes.

Veteran team members will take on the responsibility of going where needed.

Williams is expecting marked strides with his throwers this year, with seniors Hunter Morris, Brice Stohler and John Beeman.

“Things are going in the right direction,” Williams said. “We’ve still got some event holes we’re not sure we’ll be able to fill.”

He said he’s optimistic about additions to the team, and while he hasn’t seen them in events, he said they are showing great potential for the team.

As far as Madison County opponents, Williams said because their numbers are lower, it will be difficult to beat certain teams, but Lapel will be strong in certain events.

“We’ll compete well, but just not with the same depth the other teams do.”

While the girls’ team is small with 10 athletes, Loller is in the fortunate position that none of her veterans are seniors.

“We are not going to win meets because we don’t have the numbers.” However, she praised her team for its dedication. “They come out and work hard every day.”

“Our core girls are all juniors,” Loller said. Two sophomores fill the other slots. Juniors Kara Lutz and Noelle Loller lead the distance runners, and Paige Rich takes the lead in the sprints.

Many of her girls have been running since the sixth grade, and they know what to do. “They have their own sense of community and know when someone needs to step up. When someone is not feeling well, another takes over. That’s the kind of chemistry they have,” Loller said.

Junior Lauren Smith is another who is part of the 4×800 relay team, and at recent indoor meets, the group had one of its best times ever and shaved nearly 11 seconds from the previous week’s time.

A few of the girls out for the team have never tried track before, and Loller is excited to see every day how they perform. She is hoping the girls not only get better, but also learn about the sport, have fun and learn about the responsibilities and roles of being on a team.

“We have good distance runners, and I’m confident they can go out and compete individually,” Loller said.

The team is lacking long jumpers, has only one thrower, and like Williams’ boys team, has gaps in the lineup. “We’re event-specific,” Loller said.

She is not sure the newcomers’ events until they have a chance to compete.

Because the teams practice together, Loller takes the sprinters, and Williams has the distance people.

Overall, both coaches have the same goals. “We’re looking to help kids grow individually, get faster, get better and see the benefit of being on a team and being a part of something that’s not just about them,” Williams said.

Learning the long-term health rewards of track is another lesson.

“We hope at the end of the year every kid PRs (scores a personal record) their last meet,” Williams said.

2018 Lapel Track Roster

Girls

Morgan Walsh, sophomore

Ana Handwork, sophomore

Morghyn Gephardt, junior

Sydney Rusche, junior

Noelle Loller, junior

Riley McClintock, junior

Kara Lutz, junior

Lauren Smith, junior

Aja Horn, junior

Paige Rich, junior,

Boys

Seth Schuck, freshman

Jake Gillespie, freshman

Luke Rich, sophomore

Max Stern, sophomore

Killian O’Connor, sophomore

Collin Stewart, sophomore

Jesse Mccurdy, sophomore

Luke Combs, sophomore

Malachi Qualls, sophomore

Aaron Hackleman (manager), junior

Blaine Allen, junior

Dylan Cole, junior

Jakob Addington, junior

Christian Smith, senior

John Beeman, senior

Joseph Conrad, senior

Dalton Partington, senior

Toby Metzger, senior

Brice Stohler, senior

Hunter Morris, senior