Following a short hiatus for spring break, the Pagosa Springs High School Pirate track and field team will be returning to action at this weekend’s Pine River Invitational in Bayfield.
Spring break is taking a significant toll on the amount of kids that will be able to attend the meet though, according to assistant coach Curtis Nehring.
Of the 90 plus kids on the roster, only between 25 and 30 will be able to make the meet, Nehring explained.
Most of the athletes who are planning on attending the meet have been attending voluntary practices this week, he indicated. Jumpers, runners and throwers alike have gotten time with their respective coaches throughout the week in order to stay sharp.
Regardless, the athletes who are able to make the meet will be competing and looking to leave the meet with personal best times, jumps or throws.
“I know we’ve got some of the intermediate-distance and long-distance kids that are looking to put up some [personal records] this week,” Nehring said.
Nehring is the throwing coach for the team.
He noted he believes that Emile Schneider and Aidan Vega both have a chance to set a personal record this weekend in both the discus and shot put after a really good week of practice.
On the girls’ side he also emphasized that Liana Vega and Mallory Morton have the potential to set personal records this weekend after each girl had a strong week at practice, as well.
“This is kind of our last sort of dust-off meet where everybody is going to start kind of getting into the groove,” Nehring said. “They’ve blown off the rust in the last couple of weeks. It’s my first real barometer on what we’re looking like and what we need to work on and all that sort of thing.”
After this weekend, the whole team will be back for the Abel Velasquez Invite at Ignacio on Saturday, April 4.
The Pine River Invitational will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, at Bayfield High School.
jsellner@orourkemediagroup.com
>