‘Tradition never graduates.?
That’s the motto the Oxford Varsity boys? and girls? track teams will be following this year, according to head coach Andrew McDonald.
After losing many state-qualifying athletes last season to graduation, McDonald said he is sure his returning seniors will follow that motto and lead the way for the underclassmen.
Captain James Nelson and second-year captain Adam Heskitt will lead the boys, while Jacqui Sylva and Shaunte Waller will lead the girls.
Returning to the team are 16 seniors, 13 of which are on the boys? team.
Waller, who took second in shot put and discus at leagues last year, was named fourth in the county. McDonald chose her as a captain because she’s been a very consistent thrower throughout her high school career.?
The coach is looking to Sylva, a three-time state qualifier, to be a leader for the younger girls in the 100 and 200-meter relays.
Distance runner Ashley Hansen will help the Wildcats dominate the half, one and two-mile sprints.
For the boys, McDonald is looking to Zach Alexander, Mike Brendel, Matt Deighton, Ben Cole and Andrew Stein, to kill any opposing teams in middle distance running.
Sprinters have their work cut out for them this year, with Devon Davis, soccer recruit David Hurrish, James Nelson, Andrew Klimbal, Zach Tilley and Roderick Skeete leading the way.
McDonald said Nelson and Klimbal are his ‘sprint leaders? this season.
‘They both want to get back to states and win a league championship,? he said. ‘They’re both a pleasure to work with.?
In shot put and discus, Zach Gunnels , who finished third in the league last year, and Brad Jacobsen will be a guiding force for the underclassmen.
‘We really try and make it, when you become an upperclassmen, you should be able to teach that skill to someone younger,? McDonald said. ‘Some days, we have 105 kids to coach. It always helps to have some of that leadership.?
Oxford is the only team in the Flint Metro League with returning seniors, Alec Piliafas and Andrew Moll, who hurdle.
As for underclassmen, McDonald said Oxford track and field fans should keep an eye out on sophomores like pole vaulter Keeona Ives, middle distance runner Spencer Britt, pole vaulter Kevin Jickling, relay runner Shannon Seeley and hurdler/high jumper Kate Wolanin.
Spectators should also expect great things from juniors, like record-breaking pole vaulter Katherine Bosetti and Molly Bonfiglio, Danielle Kelly, Hannah George as well as Austyn Sylva and Terrence Webb-Anderson.
With the help of assistant coaches Adam Westmoreland (hurdles/high-jump), Mike Sudrovech (sprints/long-jump), George Schraut (discuss/shot put) and Adam Russell (pole vault), McDonald said there’s no doubt this year’s team will be a winning one.
‘A head coach is only as good as his assistants ? and I have great assistants,? he said.
At their first meet of the season last Friday at Eastern Michigan University, the girls? team placed 4th out of 15 teams with a total of 53 points.
The boys? placed 9th out of 20 teams with a total of 30 pts.
Highlights included a first place win for the girls in the 1600-meter relay, which included Wolanin, Seeley, Megan Seeley and George; and a third place win for the boys in the 800-meter relay, which included Skeete, Tilley, Klimbal and Nelson.