PHS track squads ready to roll

PORTALES — Looking to build on the success of last year, the Portales track and field team is ready to hit the track after months of preparation.

Starting off the season at Hobbs on Thursday, the coaches and team are practically bursting with excitement. Having been conditioning and training since mid-January, everyone is just ready to compete.

For coach Glenn Johnson, seeing where his team is at competition wise is the big question, if all of that preseason work will pay off.

“We’ve been really conditioning hard since January, so along with evaluating our kids, we can really see where their conditioning is at,” said Johnson. “They’ve been practicing and practicing and are excited to get to competition.”

Johnson is excited to see what Alex Marquez can accomplish this year, being the team’s top sprinter along with participating in the relay events. The 2016 boys team finished third in the state, another mark the Rams hope to improve on.

On the girls side, all eyes are on Taryn Kizer, who finished second in the open 200 at last year’s state meet. She is returning as a senior, looking to finish her high school career off with a bang.

The team will compete in seven meets this season, all in state, with the biggest happening right at home in Portales. The George/Love Invite will host 13 teams, mostly made up of larger schools, and will be the very first track and field event held at the brand new Greyhound Stadium.

PHS SCHEDULE

March

23 — Gene Wells Relays at Hobbs.

April

7 — George/Love Invite; 13 — at Clovis Invitational; 21 — at Artesia Relays; 25 — Pat Henry qualifier at Hobbs; 28 — Ross Black Relays at Lovington.

May

5 — District 4-4A meet at Portales; 12-13 — Class 4A state meet at Albuquerque.

Coach: Glenn Johnson.