Members of Triad’s girls and boys track and field squads are from left, front row, Austin Sweater, Anna Delaunay, Nora Spence, Ashley Cave, Kayleigh Boldman, Tabitha Gaier, Haidyn Sarrazine and Tavin Yorgason; second row, Andrew O’Neal, Dylan Van Tassell, Ian Crabtree, Dimitri Hollingsworth, Kohl Eggleston, Hayden Simpson, James Rodgers, Mason Harper and Eli O’Brien; third row, coach Martha Lehman, Chris Roy, Dominich McFarrane, Riley Couch, Cameron Boes, Easton Huffman, Brian Ferguson and Nathan Dickinson.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
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The Triad High School track teams will look to new faces to expand their program and make a run at an Ohio Heritage Conference title.
The Cardinals, who have ballooned from only a handful last season to 30 athletes in total have a large freshman class to thank for the increase in personnel.
“We have a lot of new faces coming up as ninth graders and we have a few coming back who are seniors,” said Triad track coach Martha Lehman.
Although the bulk of the Cardinals will be new to the varsity program, what they lack in years they make up for in experience, according to Lehman.
“Most of them have experience in track,” she said. “We have a couple new ones, but a lot of them have experience.”
Lehman believes the expanded roster will give the Cardinals the opportunity to compete for placement at meets.
That’s something Triad has struggled to do in the past due to a lack of depth.
“I’m excited because we have a lot of balance as far as everybody throwing, sprinting or being distance runners,” Lehman said. “We have a team that can compete in all of the events, which is nice.”
Lehman believes her teams will really shine in the shot put and discus, as the Cardinals are returning some much-needed upperclass talent in those events.
“I think we have strong throwers and strong sprinters,” she said. “We have some distance runners who are also good, but we definitely are strongest in our throwing.”
With a team that is diverse, Lehman is looking to hone her athletes’ skills and make the necessary improvements to go from competing to winning track meets.
“I think this year we have a variety of kids, so there are many events that we could pick up points,” she said. “It isn’t like we are going to be relying on one area.
“A lot of the athletes have already found what their niche is,” she said. “We are really working on improving on their quality in their event.”
With the season underway, the Cards are looking to make some large leaps and strides.
Lehman believes those improvements were already underway even before the season began.
“I’m just excited because the kids are really into it this year,” she said. “They are totally dedicated.”
and it has been fun so far. They are completely committed and it has been a good attitude.”