Archives > Sports Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
(WEB EXCLUSIVE) Rounding into form: Lionettes racing toward their goals
By Richard C. White, rwhite@starlocalnews.com
Backed by a strong core of experienced runners, the McKinney girls track and field team is gradually building momentum heading into next month's fast-approaching District 10-5A meet.
"We've shown a lot of potential to do some really good things," said Clay Davis, McKinney head coach. "I think things are turning around and we got a nucleus of five girls that are back from last year to go with two freshmen, who together form the cornerstone of our team this year."
The two freshmen that have impressed Davis the most are Brooke Merrick and Avery Halford.
Merrick runs the 300 meter hurdles for McKinney.
"She ran a 47.5 in the 300 and I think our school record unofficially right now is in the low 46s," Davis said. "She's cut three and a half seconds off her time in the last three weeks. She's done a phenomenal job for us so far."
Halford runs on two of the Lionettes' relay teams.
"Avery stepped in and filled a position that was open," Davis said. "We needed somebody to fill it and she's done an outstanding job as well."
Another standout freshman is distance runner Hailey Price.
"We got a girl on the varsity, Hailey, who's run 12:36 for two miles," Davis said. "That's outstanding. That's 40 seconds under her personal record for two miles last year, so she's running very well."
McKinney is anchored by a pair of upperclassmen who have made their mark on the program.
"I've got two seniors who have been here with me for four years," Davis said, "Kim McKnight and Lauren Noorlag."
Noorlag runs the 100 and 200, in addition to running a leg on the Lionettes' mile relay while McKnight runs the mile relay and the 400.
Weather-wise, the early part of the 2013 track season hasn't been kind to McKinney.
"We've run in three meets in the cold and windy conditions of North Texas," Davis said, "so we can't wait for it to get warmer here after spring break."
The Lionettes have weathered their troubles and have managed to produce positive results in each of their first three meets.
"It seems like we've found in every meet so far a bright spot," Davis said. "Every meet I've seen different things that have been good. We're starting to get better in a lot of events."
There are a few events in particular that Davis feels the Lionettes are on the verge of showing consistency in.
"I think we need to improve in a few areas," he said. "For the first time all year long we're going to run our strongest mile relay. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do there. It will give me an idea of where we are and where we need to be. And I'm looking for some improvement in our 200 meter times."
McKinney's versatility has been its greatest strength this season.
"We have the ability to run different kids in different events," Davis said. "We're going to put two really good relays together. We're trying to get as good as we can in as many events as we can before the district meet and give these kids some confidence so that we can step up and run as well as possible."
Up next for McKinney is the Allen Relays Friday afternoon from Allen High School.
"I don't think I'll have everybody back by the time we run at Allen," Davis said. "We've been hampered with some injuries, but next week I expect to have everybody there and that's when we'll get the opportunity to see what we can do in the district meet."
Davis anticipates having all of his runners back and healthy in time for the Naaman Forest Relays at Williams Stadium on March 30, leading up to the district meet on April 9 from Kimbrough Stadium.
"We're still rounding into form right now," Davis said. "It's beginning to build, and going into the district meet we're looking forward to having all of that stuff happen on the same day. That fact that it's happened on different days shows me that it's there and they know it's there."
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Sports Update «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
