Houston continues to build track and field team

HOUSTON — Building the Houston track and field team has been a work in progress. But with their work during the past few seasons, the Hawks are showing progress.

“We’re still growing,” Houston head coach Pat Egelus said of his squad, which features at least 25 athletes on the roster. “Most of the kids are young, so that’s pretty exciting.”

Egelus said there are about 17 boys on the team and 10 girls, which is more than double the number of girls on the team last year.

Leading Houston on the girls’ side is senior Danielle Barney, who currently leads the state in the discus with a throw of 100 feet, 11 inches. Barney finished second in the state championships last year with a mark of 104-2.

“We’re hoping she can take us to state and score some more points for us (this year),” Egelus said.

Savannah James, a Houston basketball standout, has shown promise, Egelus said. The sophomore has potential in a number of events, and has been competing in the high jump, 200 and 300 hurdles.

Egelus also noted the work of freshman Claire Gillespie.

“She’s done really well in the sprints,” Egelus said.

Leading the boys is junior Arron Reese, one of seven Hawks to qualify for the state tournament last year. Reese qualified in the high jump, triple jump and 800 relay.

Junior Garrett Elder is another athlete to watch, Egelus said.

“He’s a real hard worker,” Egelus said of Elder, whose primary events are the hurdles. “He was right on the edge of going to state last season.”

Leading the Houston underclassmen are a pair of brothers, freshman Charlie Buzby and sophomore Colton Buzby.

“We expect big things,” Egelus said.

Colton Buzby already has a win under his belt, finishing first in the 400 at the Tuesday Night at the Races at The Dome in Anchorage March 30.

The Hawks are off this week but will head south to compete in the Skyview Invitational in Soldotna next week.

** Editor’s note: This is part of a four-part series previewing the Mat-Su 4A track and field squads.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.