Track and Field Preview

With a new Girls head coach and plenty of returning as well as new talent, Northwood’s Track and Field team is anticipating a strong season.

Girls Head Coach Herb Stockman will be replacing previous Girls Head Coach Charles Gates to join second-year Boys Head Coach Rob Duncanson.

“Coach Stockman has a lot of coaching experience, so we are very glad to have him,” said junior Rebecca Tuttle, a two-year Varsity track runner. “[He] is definitely bringing a new style of training to Northwood, and so far it is working out well.”

Both the Boys and Girls teams have strong veterans and promising new athletes and hope to excel in many events.  Northwood is bound to score high in jumping events, with returning Varsity athletes including senior Melissa Kan and junior Ryan Collier. Thrower Christa Kondru, a senior who advanced to CIF last year, is ready for another strong season in both the discus throw and shot put.

The Girls 4-by-400-meter relay, in which Northwood advanced far in CIF and broke the previous school record with a cumulative time of under four minutes, is an event in which Northwood looks forward to special success. Three of the four members of last year’s team, including senior Marissa Clow, junior Lauren Porter and sophomore Ceci Adams, are returning to track this year.

In the 800 meter, 1600 meter and 3200 meter distance running events, freshmen Jimmy Alford, Lee Lazar and Marisa Purcell are expected to dominate. All three had impressive cross-country seasons in the fall.

“[Lazar, Purcell and Alford] are incredible runners who will contribute a lot to the team,” said Tuttle. “I think this will be a great season.”

Come and support Northwood at the first dual meet on Thursday, March 10 after school at University High School, against University.