To say that the high school track team had a big season might be something of an understatement. While the boys had a good run through 2016, the girls soared especially high, nabbing new school records and the first state crown for the program in school history.

According to head coach Todd Brecto, the local ladies had their eyes set on the title from the first day of practice.

“The 2016 girls track team came into the season ready to lay claim to the title of state champions that has eluded us for the past two years by one spot,” Brecto said. “In the end, through countless hours of hard work and dedication by everyone on the team and all of the coaches, the goal became a reality.”

At state, Brecto said that everyone ran faster, jumped further and higher than they have all season. A number of school records were broken in the process, including Erika Yost in the 100m run (12.84) and 400m run (59.31) and Kelsey Schultz in the 300m hurdles (45.78).

The girls’ 4x100 team of Alaina Olmstead, Leah Carillo, Trista Smith and Erika Yost also broke the school record at 50.43, with the 4x400 team of Kelsey Schultz, Alaina Olmstead, Sierra Jarriel and Erika Yost topping the school’s best performance with a showing of 4:04.4.

Leah Carillo also broke the high school record in the triple jump at 34 feet 11.5 inches, while Trista Smith earned the same honor in the pole vault at 12 feet 6 inches.

A number of local ladies placed high at state, earning all-state recognition, including Erika Yost, Alaina Olmstead, Leah Carillo, Tiffany Frasca, Amara Feyrer-Melk, Trista Smith, Sierra Jarriel, Kelsey Schultz, Madison George, Alexandra Coons and Danica Kerr.

Of those competing at state, a trio of events produced state champions. Trista Smith claimed gold in the pole vault, with Kelsey Schultz doing the same in the 300m hurdles. Also finishing in first at state was the record-breaking 4x100 team.

As for the boys, a number of Falcons had solid years but, with a lot of youngsters on the squad, Brecto said it was a rebuilding year for that half of the squad.

“I expect a much more seasoned team next season with 27 underclassmen returning to the squad,” he added. “These underclassmen did an awesome job all year.”

Brecto added that he expects to see great improvement out of the boys squad in 2017. Both Tiger Elwood and Sam Aker represented the Falcons at state in the pole vault this season, both expected to return next season.

“Michael Ogawa will be back in the hurdles,” Brecto added. “The throwers, Kade Kirkham, Matthias Blaes and Dawson Brande, are getting better each week and I expect big things from them next year. Lucas Elwood, only a freshman, had some great performances in the distance races.”

But while the team will have plenty of returning athletes next season, the Flacons must still bid farewell to eight senior leaders including Sierra Jarriel, Madi Blaes, Trista Smith, Leah Carillo, Elizabeth Smout, Jordan Smout, Cody Walter and Ryder Worden.

“We are going to miss our seniors, who have all been with the program for the past four years,” Brecto added. “They were true leaders for the team.”

Returning for the girls will be 24 underclassmen who should make for a very solid core.

“We should be in the running for another state title if we get a little help from the new freshman class coming in,” Brecto said adding that he wanted to, “thank all of the athletes and coaches for the best season ever.”