The 2015 track season is up and running and, according to head coach Todd Brecto, the Falcons are aiming high once again this year.

Brecto said that the Falcons have their work cut out for them this season, as the 2014 squad went on to break an impressive nine school records.

With the athletes responsible for that feat back in action in 2015, Brecto said that this season could be the team’s most successful yet.

In total, the Falcons’ roster includes 16 returning girls, 16 returning boys, and a healthy crop of newcomers to make up the large 70-person roster.

“The team is more focused this year and everyone is working hard early in the season,” Brecto added.

“I have met with each athlete individually and discussed their individual goals and our team goals for the season. I think it is very important for an athlete to have goals set early so we can focus the training to help them achieve those goals.”

Helping Brecto out this season is a group of experienced assistants.

Stacey Jarriel will work with the distance runners while Dr. Steve Feyrer-Melk will attend to the long and triple jumpers. Dan Hodge is working with the pole vault kids while Jim Blaes helps out at sprints and mid-distance. Don Carillo is also lending a hand in sprints with Geoff Harper at high jump and Tanya Belliard in hurdles and sprints.

Brecto said the team has a lot of help in all areas except disc and shot, and that he’d appreciate anyone interested in sharing their experience with the athletes contacting him at tbrecto@yahoo.com.

The Falcons are already off to a solid start with three successful meets so far this season. The team will run at Chaparral this afternoon and will be on the road at Bourgade this Saturday, March 21, beginning at 9 a.m.

Brophy

For the first time in 10 years, the Falcons had to take two buses to their first meet of the season due to such a massive roster of athletes.

“There were many questions and nervous kids, as 40 of the athletes have never participated in a track meet,” Brecto said.

“The good news is that 40 kids got personal records in every event they participated in.”

The Falcons took on a few “powerhouses” from Division I during this tri-meet with the boys taking on Brophy and Chaparral and the girls competing against Xavier and Chaparral.

Sierra Jarriel ran a 5:16 mile, taking second and logging one of the fastest times in the state. Trista Smith set a new school record in the pole vault, launching herself to 11’9”.

Leah Carillo took first in the long jump with a leap of 15’10” and took second in the 200 at 28 seconds.

Madi Blaes and Kelsey Schultz performed well in the hurdles, with Blaes taking second at 17.05 and Kelsey taking fifth at 18.07. In the 300 hurdles, Blaes was third at 48.65 with Schultz in fifth at 48.88.

Brecto said the Falcons owned the high jump, with Trista Smith taking first, Kelsey Schultz in third, Amara Feyrer-Melk in fourth and Linden Howell in sixth.

Erika Yost was third in the 100m dash with Danica Kerr taking third in the 400 and Hope Brecto taking fourth in the mile and sixth in the 800.

Madeline Feyrer-Melk finished first in the triple jump at 29’10” with Madison Feyrer-Melk taking second in the shot and third in the disc.

Andrew Cooper took first place for the boys in the pole vault at 12’. David Grifo and Matt Chalmers were a “welcome surprise” as newcomers, doing well in the 100 and 200m dash.

Nathan Blaes ran a nice 400 at 53.3, taking second place. The boys 4x400 took first, with Bryce Kerr taking second in the 110 hurdles and second in the triple jump.

North Canyon

The Falcons headed to North Canyon on March 7, once again putting up some impressive final standings.

Brecto said this was a massive meet, hosting 40 teams in an event that lasted more than 12 hours.

Trista Smith set the meet record in the pole vault at 11’6”, taking home the gold.

“Bryce Kerr was on fire in the 110 and 300 hurdle prelims, making the finals in both events,” Brecto added.

“Matt Siewert ran a 4:57 mile and Leah Carillo was sixth in the long jump.”

Glendale

The Falcons took part in the third meet of the season during spring break, the Glendale Gaucho Relays.

Trista Smith decided to beat her school record yet again this outing, going 12’1” in the pole vault. Linden Howell was seventh and Alexandra Coons was ninth in the same event.

In the boys pole vault, Andrew Cooper was second with Seth Aker taking fourth and Tiger Elwood in sixth.

Madeline Feyrer-Melk was seventh in the triple jump at 29’10” while Bryce Kerr took fifth in the 110 hurdles and seventh in the 300 hurdles.

“We were short athletes the past two meets as the high school was out on spring break,” Brecto said.

“I look forward to a great week of practice with everyone back at school.”