By RYAN WALKER
The Southern Wells track team has a unique challenge this year with its roster.
With a roster full of seniors and freshmen — with little in between — the Raiders are looking to translate a tight bond with one another on and off the track like it did last year.
“We want to become closer as a group,” 10th-year head coach Gary Paxson said. “Our seniors are a very close group, and we need to get our younger kids involved a bit more. We need to be willing to do things out of our element, to do what’s best for the team. If we can all become closer, then doing those things for each other will be much easier.”
Southern Wells does lack in both numbers and experience, and Paxson isn’t using that as an excuse but understands that’s the hand the team has been dealt. The group might struggle on the track in the team scores due to those factors and missing spots to be filled.
Last year, the team placed seventh at the Eastern Invitational, fifth at the Adams Central Invitational, and 10th at the sectional.
The Raiders did return some top talent on the roster this season, more specifically, high jumper Brooke Tonner who qualified for the regional meet.
Paxson states that Zoey Solga will be a key contributor in the 200 and 4×100 races. Brianna Hughett in the high jump, hurdles, and shorter distance races, and both Eve McElhaney and Karlee Warner will contribute the most in throwing events. All three are seeking opportunities to qualify for the regional meet.
The final key piece to the team this year is junior Tessa Maul, who will be doing sprinting events but has been giving long jump and throwing events a try.
Others that Paxson is unsure of yet are the class five freshmen that are finding out what suits them best as far as events go. Paxson is optimistic about them all and hopes some of them can contribute as distance runners, an area where the top two from last year left the hole to fill.
“I’m looking forward to a year of growing as a team and as individuals,” he said. “As we grow closer as a group, you never know who might be the one that steps up and becomes our distance runner.”
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