OTIS — Class 1A state long jump champion Taylor Regan (16-9) headlines the Otis-Bison Cougar track team. Regan finished third in the Class 1A triple jump (34-61/2).
“As good as Taylor was last year, she has a chance to be better this year,” said Otis-Bison coach Travis Starr. “She excels in so many events that we need to find her four best events that won’t overlap time-wise at the state meet.”
Tristen Dean and Brad Lightfoot are the Cougars’ other seniors. Anton Foust and Tristen Dean return from a 1,600-meter state qualifier.
“Our goals are to improve each meet and be at our peak at regionals,” Starr said. “We are really young.”
The Cougars are easing into the season with a week of practice followed by spring break.
“March 30 is our first meet, so we’ll have an idea what everyone will do by the next meet,” he said. “With limited practices before our first meet, it’s important to not rush training, so we won’t get athletes injured. We should be balanced with our sprinters, relays, throwers, and jumpers. We’ll try to find some distance runners to fill those events.”
OTIS-BISON (relay returnees)
1,600m relay—13—Otis-Bison, 3:45.18 (Anton Foust, Tristen Dean)
Long jump—1—Taylor Regan, 16-9
Triple jump—3—Taylor Regan, 34-61/2
OTIS-BISON ROSTER
SENIORS—Tristen Dean, Brad Lightfoot, Taylor Regan
SOPHOMORES—Caleb Cheely, Hailee Donahoe, Sheridan Ewy, Anton Foust, Kylee Gradig, Luke Higgason, Anjoelina Johnson, Kaylin Knaple, Haley Lightfoot, Kaleigh Maier, Sidney Schneider, Kaden Schwartz, Hannah Tanger, Maitland Wiltse JUNIORS—Clade Anderson, Michel Abagge, Blake Bahr, Jenna Hlavaty, Landon Hoopingarner, Daniel Scott
NINTH-GRADERS—Cora Anderson, Preston Carlson, Bevan Gradig, Seth Hoopingarner, Martin Lopez, Amanda Sizemore, Cristen Trapp, Maddie Wiltse
SCHEDULE—3-30—at LaCrosse, 3 p.m.; 4-11—at Ness City, 3 p.m.; 4-18—at Russell, 3 p.m.; 4-21—at St. John, 4 p.m.; 4-25—at Hoisington, 3:30 p.m.; 4-28—at Stafford, 3 p.m.; 5-4—at Victoria, 1 p.m.; 5-19—1A regional; 5-26-27—1A state, Wichita