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Dino track and field is poised for another great season with a full roster of 40-50 boys and girls each coming out to practice. The sheer size required additional help, prompting the addition of Jordan Blanc as an assistant coach. Not only is there a large number joining the ranks, but the quality of the returners and up-and-comers has created a lot of buzz around the sport.
The girls bring back the cross-country team that won a state championship in the fall, headlined by Rozlyn Stowe, Beverly Lancaster, Ambree Jones and Lindsie Fausett. Stowe won the individual state title and could grab a few more this spring as a freshman. Fausett has already committed to run cross country at Salt Lake Community College and will anchor the team, along with Lancaster, bringing her senior leadership.
Along with a solid distance core, the Lady Dinos will also welcome back Haley Garrish, who holds the school record in discus. In fact, she is the top returning discus thrower in the state and has her eye set on winning a state championship. She will be vying for one in shotput as well.
Amiah Timothy, Kinlee Lewis and Mia Crompton are also returning to bolster the team. On top of that, athletes from other sports will be joining the track team for their first seasons.
“We really have a complete team on that girl’s side,” explained head coach Jimmy Jewkes. “This is one of the deepest, talented groups of young women I’ve had.”
Carbon is not the only loaded team in the state or even in the region. Ogden and Morgan will be top teams once again, while Canyon View is always pushing for a top spot. Grand could also hurt the Dinos at region with their distance depth.
The boys’ team, on the other hand, might be more difficult to predict. “We have a young boys’ team,” stated Jewkes.
The Dinos do have returning state champion Traxton Jewkes, who won the high jump as a freshman. He is back for his sophomore campaign and has already matched his personal record at an indoor meet this winter, clearing 6’2”.
Fellow standout sophomore Riley Palmer is also coming back after qualifying for state last year. Jewkes added, “[Palmer] did some really good things last year for us.”
Bradley Wood will be back for another year as one of the best throwers in shotput and discus. Then, on the distance side, the Dinos have returners like Braxton Ware and Easton Humes, to name a couple. “That distance group is a really good group of boys,” said Jewkes.
While Jewkes is excited about the potential of the remaining team members, they are vastly unproven. “The young group we have coming up, the freshman class, is really talented. It’s just how quick they can develop.” Jewkes continued. “Our boys’ team is going to be a wild card. They could compete for a region title. You just don’t know.”
Jewkes concluded about both teams: “I have high hopes, I do. I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I’m excited. It’s going to be a really, really fun year.”