Young rosters, promising talent: What you need to know as girls track season gets underway
BATTLE CREEK - Some of the key city and area girls track teams are hoping for a fast start, as their young rosters lack experience, but feature promising talent.
The spring track season has arrived to the area quickly, but speed is a good thing when it comes to this sport as we take a look at the city and area girls track squads for 2024.
MORE: Who is the Preseason Girls Track Athlete of the Year in the Battle Creek area?
Fans of high school girls track will want to mark their calendar with key dates coming up, including the All-City Track Meet on April 19 and regionals starting May 16. The MHSAA state meet is set for June 1 at various locations.
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Here’s a closer look at the city and area girls track teams for 2024:
Battle Creek Central
Coach: Patrick Johnson (1st season)
2023 record: N/A
Top returners: A'Mya Hodges, jr.; Alexis Green, jr.; Erykah Alexander; SaQuesla Sardin; Nae'Ary Wilson; Jaida Patterson; Niaja McFall; Kyliera Guest; Aleya Wash; Adairiana Belenor.
Outlook: Battle Creek Central continues to have a young team, with only a handful of seniors on the roster as first-year head coach Patrick Johnson takes over the girls program. Erykah Alexander returns as a state qualifier in the 200 as junior A'Mya Hodges is a rising prospect as a high jumper and a state qualifier in the 400 relay, along with junior Alexis Green.
"This team may be young, but they're hungry and are working hard in practice and in the weight room," Johnson said.
Harper Creek
2023 record: Interstate 8 Conference Champs
Top returners: Aubree Newman, sr.; Emma Monroe, sr.; Amelia Espinoza, jr.; Izzie Miller, jr.; Cassidy Pratley, jr.; Taylor Vandenberg, jr.; Julia Faber, so.
Outlook: Harper Creek suffered some key graduation losses from an Interstate 8 Conference championship team. However, numbers remain up in the program with over 60 athletes on the girls team, giving the Beavers depth. Harper Creek also leaning on returning runners, including senior Aubree Newman, who set the conference record in the 100 a year ago. The Beavers have good talent in the sprints in juniors Amelia Espinoza and Taylor Vanderberg, with senior Emma Monroe and sophomore Julia Faber leading the charge in the distance events. Field events could be strength as well, led by high jumper Cassidy Pratley and thrower Izzie Miller.
Lakeview
Coach: Becky Pryor (27th season)
2023 record: All-City champs
Top returners: Bella Adams, sr.; Alyssa Hinton, sr.; Jaeonna Shelton, jr.; Hannah Aye, jr.; Evelyn Calow, jr.; Lilamae Frank, so.; Kelis Howell, so.; Allie Lajoie, so.; Reagan Magnus, so.; Emerson Manning, so.
Outlook: This season will mark an end of an era with longtime head coach Becky Pryor stepping down after the spring following 27 years of leading the girls program. For 21 of those years, Heather Sawyer was an assistant coach and she is also stepping down following the season. The Spartans, who won the All-City title for a 13th straight time last year, is hoping to send their coaches out with a strong season. Helping that happen will be seniors sprinters Bella Adams and Jaeonna Shelton, as well as senior distance runner Alyssa Hinton. Key juniors bring some experience, including Hannah Aye and Evelyn Calow with a strong sophomore class giving the team depth, including Lilamae Frank, Kelis Howell, Allie Lajoie, Reagan Magnus and Emerson Manning.
"We look to improve on last year's dual record. We have a very good returning class, with what looks to be an outstanding group of newcomers that will help fill some of the gaps we had last season," Pryor said.
Pennfield
Coach: Ben Campbell (5th season)
2023 record: 6th in the Interstate 8
Top returners: Natalie Hensel, jr.
Outlook: Pennfield is excited for the 2024 season with the ability to hold practices and meets at its new track venue at the school after not having anything available on site last year, putting the Panthers on the road for every practice, heading to Bellevue High School. Ben Campbell, in his fifth year as head coach, will work to piece together the season with a young roster that is lacking senior experience. Junior Natalie Hensel is a bright spot after two standout seasons in track already, including trips to the state meet, as well as being just one second off the school record in the 400.
"While we are always seeking to expand our numbers, we have a dedicated core of phenomenal young ladies ready to prove themselves," Campbell said.
St. Philip
Coach: Jeff Minier (13th season)
2023 record: 7th at SCAA Meet
Returners: Mimi Hibbard, sr.
Outlook: The St. Philip/Calhoun Christian co-op girls track team is short on numbers. Senior Mimi Hibbard had postseason success in the league meet and regionals a year ago and is looking to take the next step.
"There are plenty of returning athletes as well as some new faces to the program this season. While we haven’t yet determined the best fit for everyone, there is a promising outlook for the squads based on our experiences with and knowledge of the athletes we have on the rosters," Minier said.
Marshall
Coach: Eric Dale/Erin Nowak
202e record: N/A
Top returners: Emily Dingee, jr.; Camille DeCola, sr.
Outlook: Marshall's girls team will have new leadership for the third year in a row as first-year coach Erin Nowak will help guide the Lady Redhawks, along with returning boys coach Eric Dale. A very young squad, and short on numbers, Marshall will be led by senior distance runner Camille DeCola, after a strong cross country campaign, as well as sprinter Emily Dingee, a junior.
"We are excited to continue to build and create a successful track program with our coaches and athletes this spring and the following seasons," Dale said.
Athens
Coach: Melissa Hamilton (10th season)
2023 record: SCAA West Division champs; 6th at regionals
Top returners: Shelby Evans, sr.; Kalecia Garza-McNut, sr.; Zoey Williams, sr; Chloe Badger, sr.; Allison Stauffer, jr.; Layla Williams, so.; Charley Williams, so.
Outlook: Athens had a banner season a year ago with a SCAA West Division championship. Returning from that group is small group of seniors, including state qualifier Shelby Evans, as well as Zoey Williams, Chloe Badger and Kalecia Garza McNut. Sophomore sisters Layla Williams and Charley Williams also qualified for states in the 400 relay. The Indians will look to fill in some gaps with some newcomers, including a class of nine freshmen.
"As a team, we are excited about the season and what it will bring. Each girls has a personal goal that will contribute to our team goals,” Hamilton said.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek-area girls track teams to watch for 2024 season
