Ambitions are high for the Manitou Springs track and field teams as the season is set to begin. After some encouraging results from last year’s state meet, the Mustangs are hopeful that they can put together a performance that could make the Mustangs one of the highly regarded teams heading into the final weekend of the tournament at Jeffco Stadium.
“(Optimism) is pretty good, especially on the boys’ side,” coach Anna Mack. “We’re thinking maybe top five in the state as long as they all show up and do what they need to do.”
The Mustangs get plenty of distance running carryover from the cross-country team with Henry Ilyasova and Cody Kelley returning to pace the team. Mack pointed out that the 4×800 relay will be one of the marquee events for the Mustangs this year.
Ilyasova, who recently signed to run at the University of Wyoming, has a mindset similar to what he thought as he approached the cross-country season.
“I’m trying to get back to the state meet and win it this time,” he said. “I’m the top returner in the mile and two-mile so I’m holding that to my standard.”
The Mustangs also return Lairden Rogge and John Maynard on the boys side and Mack said that Maynard may add the triple-jump to his events to supplement his work in the high jump.
On the girls side, there are big expectations for Bella Coscetti. She finished fifth in the 300-meter hurdles and third in the pole vault.
Coscetti signed to compete at Arkansas State University, and that adds to the expectations she has for herself heading into the year.
“I want to go in and make my future team proud and make my current team proud,” Coscetti said. “I want to showcase what I’ve been working on these last few months.”