The Verrado Vipers have won their district meet for the past five years, but they want to make this season the best season ever. Coach Ted Campbell, who has become a west valley track legend, indicated this is an annual theme for his teams. This year the goal is especially achievable since they did not lose a single major player from last year. I am sure every coach in the state wishes they could win a district title and not lose a single athlete to graduation or attrition. Verrado has this luxury headed into the season this year.
One of the major advantages of returning all your athletes is it leads to continuity in the relays where a bad hand off can ruin a team's chances at winning. Having sent a 4x800m team to state last year, Verrado looks to improve on their performance. Having already broken the magical 10:00 barrier at the 2014 Meet of Champions this year's team is aiming for a podium finish. They are led by 3200m specialist Courtney Pansza. Emily Pompa, Savannah Neu, Caroline Jenson and Kaitlyn May are also strong distance runners for the Vipers who could figure on the 4x800m squad.
Like the boys team, the Lady Vipers have a strong throwing squad. Morgan Irish and Breyon Alexander-Shaw are the team leaders. The team is not just top heavy. Verrado adds depth with Rebecca Zach and Abby Sondreal also coming back with some strong experience under their belt.
Another strong spot for the girls from Verrado High School are the jumps. In the long jump Candace Lacour leads a talented triumvirate. If she stumbles, Tayler Brito and Celine White will have marks that will score the team big points. Celine leads the same three jumpers in the triple. While Madison Goss is the best high jumper on the team.
Not only is Madison good at high jumping, she leads the Vipers sprint team as well. The most critical relay to have continuity on is the 4x100m due to the magnitude which each handoffs effects the race. With everyone returning, Madison Goss looks help the Vipers advance to the state finals this year. Uche Uchendu, Kelly Smith, Justice Spivey and Melissa Cramer all figure to contribute in the short sprints and hurdles. In the longer hurdles Kylie Dykstra looks to find the podium at state after getting knocked out in the prelims last year.
At the end of every track meet is the 4x400m. After also getting knocked out in the prelims of this event last year the Viper want to find the podium at state. With 400m specialists Kara Burrell and Adriana Franciotti returning they should be able to improve from last years best of 4:14.
Can this Verrado team be the best team ever? Quite possibly. Verrado has had some very high placers at state, as recent as 2012 they had a hurdler, 4x100m and 4x400m teams place in the top 3. This years team seems to have the same talents, and as any coach on the west side will tell you, you can't count out Coach Campbell. Even if they are not quite the best team Verrado has ever had they should be close and close enough to score some big points at state.