Two familiar faces are leading the Liberal High School track and field program this spring. Russ McFall is the boys coach and Jason Dunlap is the girls coach. McFall has extensive background in coaching LHS hurdlers and sprinters. Gary Cornelsen asked him to help coach back in 2002. Jason Dunlap is the girls coach and has 26 years of coaching experience in Liberal and 16 years of coaching track.
The numbers have been encouraging with about 75 boys and 65 girls showing up to start practice.
The girls are led by junior Shamari Lewis who finished fourth in the triple jump at 6A state last year at 36’9.75″. Lewis also made state in the long jump. Bentley Fitzgerald is ready for her senior year after competing at state in three events (4×800, 4×400, and the 400). She is the reigning WAC champion in the 400 at 1:00.50. Senior Hannah McCarter joined Fitzgerald on the 4×400 team which made state and won WAC (4:09.32). Jenaya Devorce is a senior made state in the mile and joined Fitzgerald on a 4×800 relay team which made state and took 2nd in the WAC. LHS is also looking forward to a big year from junior sprinter and jumper Klaire Anderson.
The boys scored 11 at state last year. They loses Cesar Pavia who won WAC titles in the 800 and the 400 and M.J. Foster who won the 1600 at WAC. They return three athletes who competed at state with Xavier Tafoya and Ayden Juarez (javelin) and Alex Koerner (4×800). Sophomore Max Holman has looked strong in practices and coaches are looking forward to his season. National champion powerlifter Tyren Holmes has come out for track and will throw the shot put.
Schedule
April 3- Ulysses
April 11- Liberal
April 17- Elkhart
April 25- Haysville-Campus
May 2- Hugoton
May 6- Garden City
May 9- Goddard
May 15- WAC at Dodge City
May 22-23- Regionals
May 30-31- State at Wichita
