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Bingham track may be down in numbers but not on heart

Apr 10, 2018 04:12PM ● By Josh Mc Fadden

Like all sports, it’s important to have depth in track and field. But in this competition, the more athletes you can have performing at a high level, the better chance you have of victory.

The Miners have suffered some losses in its number of participants. Other sports such as lacrosse and club sports such as rugby have drawn away potential team members. Also, many student-athletes are now focusing on one sport year-round. 

All of these factors combine to make things more challenging for the track and field team. Still, head coach Crystal Moeller is optimistic her team can compete with some challenging foes. Though she acknowledges she probably doesn’t quite have the makeup of a state title squad, she is confident in a high finish. 

“We always hope to have a top-five finish at state,” she said. “Every year, that is the ultimate goal.”

On the girls team, Moeller can’t wait to see what sophomore Hannah Stetler does this season. Last year as a young freshman she placed first at state in the pole vault. Fellow sophomore Elise Porter was eighth in the high jump at the state meet last season. Senior Danielle Orr is back for her final season after taking sixth in the javelin in 2017. 

“We are most excited to see our state placers from last year return for another go at a state title,” Moeller said.

As the season got underway March 14, Moeller was eager to see how some younger athletes would fare and respond to the challenge. 

On the boys’ side, Moeller has confidence in the team’s running events. Juniors Avi Parikh, and Dylan and Dustin Tidwell, along with senior Davin Olsen have the potential to challenge for top spots at every meet. Dylan Tidwell excels in the 800, while Dustin Tidwell makes his mark in the 400. Olsen and Parikh are both sprinters. 

“Those will be the big guns who go for top-eight finishes, but we will hopefully have a few pull off a state qualification as well,” Moeller said. “As the season moves on, time will tell. Our boys team is pretty deep. We’re overall pretty deep in the running events.”

Moeller admits that the boys will face some struggles in the field portion, though senior Camden Brown is one to watch in the throwing events. 

For the Miners to keep up with its talented Region 4 opponents, Moeller said some other team members will need to improve their times and showings. 

“We need our mid athletes to step up to the plate and score big,” she said. “We have a very though region this year.”

One of those difficult opponents will be Lone Peak, which boasts the top boy and girl sprinters. Region 4 also dominated the state cross-country meet, meaning it won’t be easy coming out on top of the distance events. 

“We will need to start stepping up in the field events to help make up for lost points else where,” Moeller said.

The Miners will compete throughout March, April and the first half of May. The 6A state meet is set for May 17–18 at Brigham Young University.