On any given day of practice, team members of the Washington School track team are spread throughout the school’s athletic complex.
Generals like Brantley Nimrod and Louise Word are dashing around the track working on their sprint drills, while teammates Molly Warrington and Mia Morgan are sharpening their skills in the field events.
Meanwhile, other Washington School tracksters like Owen Hardin and Cashion Doolittle are circling the oval more slowly as they train for long distance races.
“There is a lot going on,” said Washington track coach William Ray. “We have a lot of great athletes who are really working hard.”
Asked which of his athletes are the one’s to watch this season Ray takes a long pause before naming all the potential stars and champions on his team.
Perhaps no General has more ability that Joseph Smith, said Ray. Smith is a strong contender in the 100-meter dash, the high jump, the long jump and the relays.
Another General athlete with a bright future is sophomore Owen Hardin. Hardin is just a sophomore and specializes in the 800, the mile and the 2-mile run.
“What I really like about this team is how we pick each other up,” Hardin said. “Everyone on this team is very supportive of each other.”
On the girls team, Coach Ray is equally optimistic about how well his athletes will do. Senior Mia Morgan is the defending state champion in the high jump, and general Molly Warrington is the defending state champ in the pole vault and long jump. Other Generals expected to perform well include Brantley Nimrod in the 100 and the 200, and Maddie Jones in the 100 hurdles, the 300 hurdles and the triple jump.
Meanwhile, senior Louise Word is expected to not just be a force in the 400-meter dash, but she is also expected to provide a great deal of senior leadership.
“I try to lead by example. I am working hard each day in practice, and I encourage those younger than me as much as I can,” Word said.
With so much going on at each practice, Coach Ray said the Generals’ success would not be possible without the help of his assistant coaches, including Justus Kalwaski (assistant), Beth Giachelli (girls assistant), Bert Flanagan (throwers), Rickey Jones (hurdlers), and Taylor Henderson (sprinters).
