Chelsea High School Boys Track and Field enters the 2019 campaign with a very different team from year’s past.
Head coach Eric Swager says, “Out of the 63 guys on the roster, 36 of them are running Chelsea High School Track for the first time.”
“This is exciting, but challenging,” Swager says, adding, “We need to find the best role for all of these athletes to improve the team, and I am sure we will have plenty of surprises as we go along.”
Swager, in his 25th year as head track coach, says he’s learned that this sport is very unpredictable.
“We are coming off our sixth straight Regional title in 2018, but we lost a ton of points to graduation,” he says, “Again, it will be exciting.”
He says the team will rely heavily on upperclassmen distance runners: Carson Rabbitt, Foster Thorburn, Will Scott, Joseph Norwood, and Zander Hartsuff are all juniors or seniors who were part of last fall’s State Championship Cross Country Squad.
Senior sprinter Colton Trevino worked hard all winter and appears to be ready to lead a young sprint/hurdle squad.
Anthony Pearce and Zach Sanborn return to anchor a similarly inexperienced squad of throwers.
“As we go along, I am confident that many underclassmen will rise to the surface to snatch up these opportunities,” Swager says, adding, “Already, I am impressed with the attitude and commitment shown by this large team.”
The coaching staff shares this enthusiasm:
Kari Goorhouse with the throwers, Vince Dettorre working with the pole vaulters, Zach Snively with sprinters and jumpers, Bert Kruse with the hurdlers, and Jared Beaver as our long jump specialist.
“I am blessed to have such a great crew assembled, and the parent volunteers continue to be top notch,” Swager says.
The Bulldog’s first home meet will be the Chelsea Relays on Thursday, April 18, followed by a dual meet on Tuesday, April 23 against Jackson.
Chelsea will host the SEC Finals on Thursday, May 9.
“We hope you can make it down and support spring’s most exciting sport,” Swager says.
