Members of the Triad boys track and field team are from left, front row, Mason Harper, Joe Ferguson, Awsom Mitchell and Logan Harper; second row, Tyler Gross Wyatt Robison, Jacob Haser and Teion Stammen; third row, head coach Michael Yoder and assistant coach Mackenzie Swary. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
Triad’s girls track and field squad is pictured from left, front row, Ashtyn Millice, Abbey Overfield, Olivia Hall, Cayla Eaton and Shalyn Smiles; second row, Tabitha Gaier Valerie Gaier, Ellie Gaier, Mia LeMay and Arlo Monroe; third row, head coach Michael Yoder and assistant coach Mackenzie Swary. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
With brand new facilities at Triad, the varsity track and field teams are looking to stay competitive, given their youthful experience.
In years past, head coach Michael Yoder has described the Cardinals’ track and field program as one that’ small, but which has many quality aspects.
For a small team, it can be quite difficult to place in conference meets, according to Yoder.
“Even this year, with such a small team, our punch with each kid is more impactful I think than average,” he said. “The quality is really going to showcase a lot throughout this season.”
Both the boys’ and girls’ teams are young at the core. With 19 members listed on the roster, 10 of them are freshman and four more are sophomores, making the rest upperclassmen. However, Yoder said it’s up to the experienced Cardinals to lead the way for the future.
“With some of those veterans who know what’s going on and know what we should be doing, the freshman talents are hopefully going to sprout up,” he said.
Yoder said local fans should keep an eye out for the younger cast, sharing that some of the freshmen and sophomores can compete “with the bigger dogs” in the Ohio Heritage Conference.
Sophomore Cayla Eaton is slated to be one of the top athletes for Triad.
Last year, she ranked fourth in the 400-meter dash and first in high jump among other OHC athletes.
Eaton ended the 2021 campgin with a solid performance at the regional level, all while struggled with an injury.
This year, Yoder expects Eaton to hit the ground running.
“This year, being stronger and having an indoor track and field season under her belt, hopefully we can get her further along her path and goals, which is the state meet,” he said.
Along with the competitive expectations the Cardinals have, the most exciting part of the season may be the fact they will have the chance to host track and field events with the installation of a new facility.
“Triad kids have always had to work hard to get some of the same results and I think that shows a lot of grit,” Yoder said, regarding when Triad’s facilities were absent. “Having these new facilities and kids who are used to the ways before this, I think they are going to appreciate and take advantage of what they’re going to do.”
The team will host a home meet today and is calling it the Track and Field Unveiling Invitational.
“It’s been quite a few years obviously for Triad to host a home meet,” Yoder said.