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Tigers loaded with depth, talent |
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Thursday, 10 April 2008 |
W-G boys seek eighth NWCC title in a row
 The 2008 Waynesfield-Goshen varsity boys track team. Team members consist of Todd Andrews, Magnus Bitsch, Nathan Brassell, Dalton Buffenbarger, Caleb Comstock, Keaton Fetter, Cory Hickman, Matt Hines, Gray Horn, Austin Howell, Riley Huffer, Tyler Johns, Christian Lament, Taylor Miller, Connor Mortimer, Travis Mullens, Charles Presnell, Matt Spangler, Jake Spencer, Cole Turner, Joe Vaske, Jerry Weeks and Roger Young. (Staff photo/ Joshua Keeran)
By JOSHUA KEERAN
Sports Editor
WAYNESFIELD — Two years removed from the state boys team track title, Waynesfield-Goshen enters 2008 with several individuals capable of not only making it to state, but also placing and in turn giving the squad another shot at the state championship.
“This year’s team might be the deepest as far as quality athletes all around that I have had in my 10 years here,” Waynesfield-Goshen varsity coach Jim Epperly said.
First and foremost, however, the Tigers have their eyes set on winning an eighth straight Northwest Central Conference title on the boys side.
“Our number one goal is to win our league,” Epperly said. “We are going for the snowman this year, and the guys are ready to get down to business and make it eight titles in a row.”
For those in Waynesfield, there is no hiding the Tigers' top dog.
Senior Gray Horn, fresh off three second-place finishes (pole vault, high jump and 110-meter hurdles) at the state meet a year ago, is back in a Waynesfield-Goshen uniform and is looking to take home a few titles before enrolling at the University of Florida in the fall.
“Obviously with a kid like Gray, you expect great things out of him,” Epperly said. “He has aspirations to do better at state this year after just missing first in three events last year.”
Another Tiger with the ability to reach the sports highest pinnacle is senior Riley Huffer. Two years ago, Huffer made it to regionals, but last year he was snubbed.
He is hoping to change that this year.
“I’m very happy with Riley and the job he is doing,” Epperly said. “His goal is to get back to regionals.”
Epperly is also licking his chops over his talented duo of throws in junior Tyler Johns and sophomore Taylor Miller.
“I’ve never had a better shot and discus pair in my years here,” Epperly said. “We knew they would be pretty good, but it was just a matter of how quickly they would emerge and they both certainly surprised us in the first meet.
“We’ve never had two guys score that high in a meet. I think those guys could score district and maybe further.”
Epperly also has at his disposal a plethora of distance runners.
“I expect quite a few things out of our distance guys,” he said. “I have five or six guys that can run distance, and I’ve never had that kind of depth where I could run six different guys in the distance events.”
Winning an eighth consecutive NWCC title will not be as easy as it has been in the past for the Tigers.
“Each year our league has been building on getting better and better,” said Epperly, who will be watching closely several teams this year.
“I have great respect for Fairbanks. They have a wonderful distance program and very nice athletes. They will be our fiercest competitors.
“Ridgemont is another team that always works hard to compete for a title.”
On the girls side, the Tigers are looking to get back into the top two in the NWCC.
“Last year was the first time since 2003 that we didn’t finish first or second in the league,” Epperly said. “The girls would like to finish a little higher this year.”
Epperly pointed out that having a successful boys program helps to fuel the girls to achieve the same high standards.
“The girls would like to bring a league trophy home this year after watching the boys do it the last seven years,” he said. “They want to keep up with the boys.”
Leading the way for W-G in 2008 will be the lone senior on the squad, Candace Muir, who has a score of her own to settle after missing out on all-league honors last year.
“Candace is one of our distance kids and a two-time All-NWCC selection,” Epperly said. “This year she would like to get back on the all-league team.”
Last season, junior Kelsey Williams vaulted her way to the regionals, but was unable to compete due to an injury.
“She is an extremely hard worker and has already tied her own school record of 9-feet this year,” Epperly said. “She has some high aspirations this year and some unfinished business to settle.”
Other Tigers to watch out for this year are juniors Elizabeth Miller (throws, relays), Rachel Snyder (distance), Kristen Engle (distance); sophomores Brooke Shaw (throws) and Jenalyn Hennon (sprints, hurdles); and freshman Abbey Gray, who holds the junior high long jump record for W-G.
“The girls could be a surprising team this year,” Epperly said. “They’ve already surprised me this year with the things they have done in the first two weeks.”
As far as the NWCC is concerned, Epperly said his team must contend with Fairbanks, last’s years champion and Ridgemont, who took second in 2007.
“Marion Catholic isn’t playing softball this year, so they have athletes migrating to softball and could be solid competition.”
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Last Updated ( Friday, 11 April 2008 )
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