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All photos contributed by Coach Adam Colombo.
Over the last few years some of the best track and field athletes, boys and girls, have been from southern Arizona. It would be an incomplete list if Catalina Foothills wasn't in the conversation of good programs south of the Phoenix area. Just this past season they lost Harvey Nelson, Emily Gerard and Alex Berman to division 1 programs. Three athletes going to big universities is not an everyday occurrence. They also lost their 800 state champ Katie Izzo to Southern California due to a family move, but like a solid program they plan on reloading this spring.
With the losses, Coach Adam Colombo describes the team as young. Due to the fact that they are a little on the younger side the coaches have taken the approach of emphasizing the process this season. It is a difficult adjustment coming to high school, not only for the normal adjustments, but the season is a lot longer. On top of that many of the athletes have not gone through a whole training cycle according to Coach Colombo, so patience and tenacity are key. While Coach Colombo and his staff are just finding out who the newcomers, they know they return a lot of solid talent.
On the boys side the Falcons are returning last years 800m state champ and the anchor leg from their 4x800, Emilio Vasquez. Emilio also finished 4th in the 1600. Look for him to put up major points at the state meet again this spring. Jordan Chrite and DeMarcus Wilson are also returning members of their 4x100 and should lead the sprinters again this spring. .
On the girls side of the house there is a long list of returning state qualifiers, including three of their 4x100m quartet from last year. Julia Bryson, Riley Cooley, and Alma Rose Jackson will lead the spring crew by providing a three strong 100m legs. Look for Coach Colombo to develop a solid 4th out of one of his newcomers. Speaking of 4's, the division 2 powerhouse had 4 girls in the 1600m at state last year who all return this year. Look for Hannah Whetzel, Katie Watson, Allison James and Ally Vanasco to be competing in Mesa in the middle of May this year. Sarah Lansey will also be a factor, though she is more of a mid-distance runner, specializing in the 800m. Taylor Young also returns in the high jump after qualifying for state last year.
With this many returned it should be easy for the Falcons to achieve Coach Colombo's goal of taking a bus to the state meet on both days. “Often times it's a van or a mini-bus, but we feel if we get enough athletes qualified that we "out-grow" our district vans, then we have a good chance of performing well as a team," explained Coach Colombo, “This is our way of emphasizing to the kids that we want to get as many people qualified across the board as we can. “
Don't discount the Falcons just because they are not in the Phoenix area, they have a strong coach and a strong team. Look for them in some Phoenix are inivitationals to help them get well prepared and confident to really make some noise at state!
