Track and field season is always a much anticipated time of the year, and the Trojan athletes are ready for a great season. Unlike other sports, track and field offers many different options. It allows athletes choose between different events that they want to compete in, and some athletes even get to compete in multiple events. But what are those events, and how do they work? Track events include sprints, mid-distance, long distance, relays, and hurdles, while field includes jumps and throws.

The track:

·      Sprints: 100m, 200m, and 400m (Athletes sprint as fast as they can in these short races)

·      Middle distance: 800m, and 1500m (still fast like sprints, but more paced running)

·      Long distance: 3000m and the mile (paced and strategic running, multiple laps testing endurance)

·      Relay: 4x100m, and 4x400m (team event racing where athletes pass batons)

·      Hurdles: 100m, 300m, 400m (race where athletes jump over hurdles)

The field:

·      Jumps: long jump, high jump, triple jump, and pole vault (athletes are measured by how long or high they can jump)

·      Throws: shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer throws (athletics are measured by how far they can throw)                 

Last year's track and field team did exceptionally well all season, especially in the state meet. The girls placed third overall and the boys were the state runner ups. Some of Valley Christian's top performing athletic events include pole vault, sprints, and long distance. Athletes who played a significant role in these achievements include:

·      Girls: Isabella Goldman (26'), Lauren Payne (27'), Ellie Edwards (26'), Ellie Phillips (26'), Rylee Randleman (26'), Raegan Randleman (27'), Averi White (27'), Brooke Gillis (26'), Zoey Anderson (27'), Londyn Womack (26'), Shayah Kubat (26'), and Alana Cross (27').

·      Boys: Micah Newkirk (26'), Noah Lewis (27'), Finnley Roth (26'), Brayden Fraley (27'), Ethan Hodgson (26'), Brody Davenport (26'), Caleb Goldman (26'), Justin Bradford (27'), and Colton Gauthier (26').  

The Valley Christian track team has so many students who participate, and many with ambitious goals for this season.

Junior Micah Baxter is excited to compete against our rivals Snowflake and Gilbert Christian. He also said, "This season I want my 400m to be under 50 seconds and I hope to improve my physical strength this season."

Angie Snape (26') also said, "I hope to beat the schools record for the 4 by 1 relay race." Valley has an impressive list of records, and each year, our athletes find a way to keep beating many of them.

Track and field was sad to have said some goodbyes to some of the graduated athletes last year, but everyone is very excited for the talent that is being brought from the incoming freshman. This year's lineup is looking very promising.

On February 25th, Trojan athletes held a non-qualifier to get ready for the season to test the competition and skill sets. Their first official meet is on Friday, February 27th, at Desert Vista High School. Come check out the different events and support like a Trojan.