The Sulphur Tor and Lady Tor tracks teams will open the 2010 season today at the Barbe Buc Relays in the Lake Charles.
Field events will start at 3:25 p.m. followed by the running events at 5:30 p.m.
The Lady Tors are hoping to continue with the success they had last year after taking second at the District 3-5A track championship for their best finish in 13 years.
The Lady Tors have just two seniors this year but both have plenty of experience.
“We have two seniors on this year’s team,” Lady Tor head track coach Helen Lefevre said. “Our strength might be in the field events and distance running.
“We are young. We are really looking for Maggie (Cooke) and Kelli (Mancil) to carry us. We have some good young kids working hard. It is going to take us a little while to work them in and see where they will benefit us most point wise. We have a young bunch that is eager to go.”
Maggie Cooke will be looking to improve on her runner-up finish at the state meet last year in the javelin. Cooke was the district and regional champion last year. Cooke holds the school record of 129’10”.
Kelli Mancil will be looking for her third straight state appearance this season in the high jump. Mancil’s personal best of 5’2” in the high jump is just one inch off the school record of 5’3” set by Lauren Cordell in 2005.
Besides seniors Cooke and Mancil, the Lady Tors return several under classmen from last season.
Sophomore Jessi Turner returns this year after winning the district title in the shot put last year as a freshman.
Also returning for the Lady Tors are sophomore Amber Hebert (800M) and Ashley Austin (1600M) and junior Rose Spell (1600M) and Kaleigh LeBlanc (javelin).
Sophomore Taylor Wilkins is back this season after being injured last year and will run in the 400M.
The Tors track team will be somewhat young this season but will have seven seniors.
Calvin Peco Jr., Blake David, Trace Buford will lead the group of seniors this season.
Peco returns after taking second in the 100M dash in the district championship meet while Buford is back to defend his district title in the discus.
David is back four his four season and will run in the 3,200.
Other seniors will be Sean Laughlin (1600M) Austin Hawkins (pole vault) and Brandon Blanchard (800M). Senior Will Hassien returns to the track team this season after missing his junior year. He will run in the 200M and relays.
