Girls Track Jumps into the New Season
By Ella Gaes
The girls at Pierce High started off their 2023 track season with practices taking place at the beginning of March. Currently, they are focusing on getting back into shape and working on fundamentals in each event.
Mr. Les Painter is the new girls head coach, and he could not be more excited for this season. “I am excited to see how much the girls are going to improve from last year to this year. Honestly, I am backed up with a great set of coaches so my job isn’t hard. This year, we are looking for the leaders on the girls team to step up considering last year there was a lot of leadership. At the end of the day, my job is to make sure all of our athletes reach their peak potential.”
Coaches this year include head coach Painter, Melinda Stelling in charge of hurdle races and girl relays, Paul McCowley and Kyle Simmons in charge of sprint races and boy relays, Gary Shada in charge of pole vault, Jack Shadley and Stephanie Cone in charge of jumping events, and Mark Brahmer and Doug Shelton in charge of throwing events.
Returning girl letter winners include seniors Ciara Garcia, Bethany Kaup, Morgan Moeller, and Sierra Sonnenfelt. Juniors include Maggie Painter and Abby Watts. The sophomore letter winners include Hadleigh Collison, Zoey Ebmeier, Claudia Riggert, Skylar Scholting, Aylla Weeder, and Hadley Wragge.
Moeller remarks, “I am not necessarily excited to run because not many people are, but I am excited to compete and gain all of the memories that come with it.”
The first varsity track meet will be hosted in Stanton on Tuesday, March 28, at 11:00 a.m.
