Presque Isle’s track and field team has already proven to be a top competitor in recent meets, and its members deserve an introduction to both returning and new fans of the sport.
Lori Googins has been the head coach for the boys track team for three years, and an assistant coach for six. Adam Murchison joins her this year as her assistant coach for the team. For the girls, Ron McAtee is yet again the girls head coach, with six years of experience for PIHS under his belt; and Mike Waugh is the girls assistant coach.
The boys team lost seniors Josh Hathaway, Saylor Jacobs and Dean Patten last year.
“The boys were all excellent distance runners and 4×800 meter relay team members,” said Googins.
Returning this year are Evan Richards, a sophomore, and Parker Brown, a junior. Both members participate in sprints and relays. Elizan McClean, a junior, is competing in the 110 meter hurdles, 300 meter hurdles, the 800 meter, and the 4×400 meter relay events.
Ryan Winslow, junior, will be competing in the shot put, discus and javelin. Jason Johnson, sophomore, will be competing in the discus event. Corey Park, junior, excels at the 1600 meter event, and Brandon Hafford, a sophomore, will also be returning to run the 1600 meter and 3200 meter events.
For the ladies, Katie Buob, a senior, returned and will be competing in the 300 meter hurdles, 800 meter, 1600 meter and 3200 meter events. Erin Thomas, a junior, will be running the 800 meter, 4×800 meter relay and the 1600 meter events. Ashley Williamson, a junior, is competing in the shot put, discus and the javelin.
Alicia Jones, a junior, also returned to the team to compete in the pole vault and javelin. Amber Griffin, sophomore, will participate in the 100 meter dash, long jump, high jump and the 4×100 meter relay. Katrina Whittier, sophomore, will be competing this season in the 200 meter, 400 meter, 300 meter hurdle and the 4×400 meter relay. Krista Buck, sophomore, will be competing in the 800 meter, 400 meter, 4×400 meter relay and the 4×100 meter relay. Jocelyn Davis, sophomore, will participate in the discus, javelin, 100 meter hurdles and the 100 meter sprint.
“This year we have a great turnout for new track members, many new freshmen and in addition, a number of upper-classmen who are participating in track for the first time,” said Googins. “We have high expectations for this year. The veterans have been great mentors for the new athletes and the new members of the team are quite talented. We should have a great season.”
