With the calendar turning to May, things are getting real for the Manitou Springs track and field team. The Mustangs are just a couple weeks away from the state meet at Jeffco Stadium, so it’s time get serious about training and the way the team intends on competing for the rest of the year.
Luckily, the Mustangs got themselves a head start and didn’t necessarily wait for the calendar to turn — if the results of the Coronado Cougar Classic at Garry Berry Stadium are any indication.
The boys team finished fourth at the April 29 Cougar Classic, ahead of some decent Class 4A teams such as Widefield, Mesa Ridge and Lewis-Palmer.
The day was highlighted by wins from Lairden Rogge in the 200- and 400-meter dashes. But the Mustangs had a solid overall showing and this has been a group of kids that has been willing to flip on the competitive switch all year.
“It’s not even just the seniors, but our top overall performers,” coach Anna Mack said. “They want to be successful so they’re pushing each other to get it done.”
The way that they push each other and interact with each other has bonded them as a team. Even from a camaraderie standpoint, this is the best-looking track team since the group that finished fourth at state in 2014.
“We seem like we’re all really bonded this year,” Henry Ilyasova said. “There is a lot of team spirit and positive reinforcement this year, which is really good and helps us come together as a group.”
Although the girls team didn’t have the overall success that the boys did at Garry Berry, Bella Coscetti had another typical performance by her standards. She won the 300 hurdles and the triple jump, and took second in the long jump. She didn’t pole vault at the Cougar Classic, but she plans on getting in the work she needs so she can make a strong showing at state.
That’s something on her mind for the next couple of weeks: just getting into a position that will help her create the most success that she can have.
“We’re trying to get closer to our goals and focus more at practice,” she said. “I want to be in the top three in my events at state.”
The Mustangs head to La Junta on Saturday, May 7, for the Tri-Peaks League track meet. State is certainly on their minds, but they’re on the road this weekend looking for certain accomplishments as well.
“We’ll shuffle the deck a bit to make sure we get two (league titles) in a row for the boys,” Mack said. “We also just want to see everyone feeling good, competing at a high level and not hobbling or tired so that we know we’re getting it done right.”