Knights sport youth; Hawks boast record numbers

Editor’s note: This the second installment of a two-part series previewing the local 4A prep track and field programs. For the first part of the series, a preview of the Wasilla and Palmer squads, visit www.frontiersman.com/sports.

MAT-SU — When it comes to the sheer number of athletes, the Colony track and field program is its typically strong self, loaded with about 70 runners, jumpers and throwers.

But there’s catch.

The Knights have the numbers, but don’t have the experience Colony track programs often boast.

“We’re young, real young,” Colony coach Mark Strabel said Monday afternoon. “A lot of freshmen and sophomores, a lot of new people on the team.”

Because of that, Strabel said, the Knights have spent much of the first portion of the season simply see what they have.

“Basically all we’ve been doing is figuring out where people are going,” Strabel said. “Having everybody try everything, see where they fit in.”

On the boys’ side, there’s a big change, Strabel said, as the Knights adjust to the loss of a huge graduating class.

Among those who did come back are Matt Jaronik, the reigning state champion in the 400-meter. Strabel said Jaronik will compete in the hurdles.

Among the newcomers is freshman Jared Turner, who will compete in the mid-distance events. Strabel said he’s also expecting good things from Blake Niver, another athlete in the hurdle events.

The Knights do have a solid group of returners on the girls’ side, Strabel said.

Shelia Irwin and Katie Troxel, state qualifiers from a year ago, lead the throwers.

There’s also strength in the mid-distance and distance events with Alyssa Hutchins and Sydney Stewart.

Among the new athletes doing well, Strabel said, are Taylor Stewart and Laura Maresh in the jumps.

Colony is currently without one of its top athletes, Sierra Hodgson, who is out with a knee injury, Strabel said.

Hodgson was fourth in the triple jump and seventh in the long jump at state last year.

While it’s not unusual to see 70 athletes on the Colony roster, it is different to see a few dozen on the Houston squad. And that’s a difference the Hawks are loving.

Houston has 25 athletes on the squad, HHS head coach Pat Egelus said, about 10 more than last year.

“This is the biggest team since I’ve been here. The biggest I remember since I was in high school,” said Egelus, who graduated from Palmer High.

Houston returns three qualifiers from the 2008 state championships.

Senior Brogan Putnam qualified in the 400-meter, while Jessica Larrabee and Dustin Dodds each went to state in the 300 meter hurdles.

Larrabee leads a girls squad that actually boasts double digits in athletes for the first time in recent memory.

“This is the biggest girls team we’ve had by far,” Egelus said. “(In the past) we’ve had a tough time making a relay team. I’m excited about having that many girls out.”

The girls team features a good crew of young athletes, Egelus said, including freshmen Samantha Dodds and Taylor Holen.

Egelus also hopes to have Janae Shannon back, who suffered a knee injury during the prep basketball season.

Egelus is excited about a trio of sophomores on the boys squad — Aaron Reece, Andy Gocke and Garrett Elder.

The Hawks also have freshman standout Travis Peterson, Kao Saechao and Anthony Origer.

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