TRack and Field: Keeping upbeat

Western boys, girls give coaches reason for optimistic outlook

Top, Western High School junior Kemontre Stewart competes in the long jump at Cheyenne High School on March 27. Left, Unique Conner crosses the finish line to win a 100-meter dash.Jim Miller/View Top, Western High School junior Kemontre Stewart competes in the long jump at Cheyenne High School on March 27. Left, Unique Conner crosses the finish line to win a 100-meter dash.Jim Miller/View Jim Miller/viewWestern High School senior Jesse Pullens takes part in a 110-meter hurdle competition on March 27. Advertisement

The 2007 season appears to be shrouded in uncertainty for the Western High School track and field team, but the coaching staff believes it has enough talent and athleticism to make a bid for a team championship.

The Lady Warriors track squad placed fourth in the state last season. This year, there are far fewer female athletes on the team, but the boys' side appears strong in several different events.

"The team is looking good, so far as we stay away from injury," said assistant coach Freddie Morrison, who's been working with the perennially strong program since 2002. "We had some of our top boys come in injured or not in shape, but they've already dropped their times some and they're still training hard and getting in shape."

Western has only a handful of returning girls, including Unique Conner, the defending state champion in the 400 meter, and senior sprinters Tia Hatcher and Neosha Smith.

"I think she'll be developing big time this year," Morrison said of Smith.

It may be difficult for the girls to repeat last season's team success, but then again, Western made its splash at state in 2006 with only four athletes competing.

Morrison said he expects to have a much larger contingency of male athletes this time around.

"We're much stronger in the field events this year, stronger than we've been before," he said. "I'm talking about the high jump, long jump, triple jump, even the 110 (meter) hurdles. We're not used to scoring in those events and it will make a difference."

Western is used to dominating in sprinting events.

"The sprinting is going to take care of itself," Morrison said. "This is the best sprinting school in Vegas. We've needed help in other areas, but everyone knows what the strength is. And this year may be the first time we have a full team in the 4-by-800, and we have some strong runners in the 50 and 100. I expect this team to compete at state."

It's still early in the season, and the Warriors are hoping to work out some kinks in their chemistry before too long.

"I like our talent on both sides, boys and girls. We're just trying to get everyone to be one unit," said Morrison.