Can't
get to the game? Don't worry, we've got ya covered.
Tiger track team ready to get outside
3/29/2009
By RANDY GONZALES
rgonzales@dailynews.net
Dire predictions about Mother Nature dumping a foot of snow on Hays might have postponed the college portion of the Alex Francis Classic.
But when that snow disappeared into thin air, the track and field meet was rescheduled for today at Lewis Field Stadium. Field events begin at noon, with running events at 1 p.m.
"Sometimes it's just easier to go to a meet than to host one," Fort Hays coach Dennis Weber said. "But it's good for the kids to compete at home -- it's worth it."
Weber said just getting on the track is a big plus after the indoor season.
"It's just good to get out of the indoor facility," he said.
The Tiger coach knows times and distances might not be as good as later in the season, when it's warmer.
"Just looking for people to compete, give good effort," Weber said. "Sometimes, the marks won't be there."
Weber said the javelin throwers will be anxious to get out and compete after being idle during the indoor season. Among the javelin throwers are three national qualifiers from last year, junior Garrett Edgar and seniors Lindsay McCormick and Jayci Peters.
"Those three javelin throwers are really excited to get the season started," Weber said.
On the track, junior Bryan Haynes, who won the indoor national title in the 200-meter dash in 2008 and also qualified for the outdoor national meet, will run the 100 and 200 dashes and on the mile relay.
"He should be in good enough shape to pick up where he left off last year," Weber said.
Weber also is anxious to see some of his freshmen in action outdoors. Last year at state, Atwood's Macy Migchelbrink won the 300 hurdles and long jump, finished second in the 100 hurdles and was third in the triple jump. Kristen Fleharty from Hays High School was third in the 100 hurdles at state and eighth in the 300 hurdles in 2008.
Who Weber won't be seeing is a pair of distance runners on the men's side. Senior Dan Yoder and sophomore Cole Ginther (a former Thomas More Prep-Marian standout) are both hurt with what Weber expects to be season-long injuries. Yoder, a past national qualifier, has a foot problem, while Ginther injured his ankle during cross country last fall and it has yet to heal.
Those potential missing points could hurt the Tigers at the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Championships.
"In this conference, you need every single point," Weber said.
Weber hopes for a good finish at the MIAA meet, where anything can happen.
"I would like to be in the top two, three in conference this year," Weber said.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |