The Green Bobcats and Lady Bobcats track teams total 15 players combined, but head coach Bud Matney is taking it all in stride.

Tuesday, April 04, 2000

The Green Bobcats and Lady Bobcats track teams total 15 players combined, but head coach Bud Matney is taking it all in stride.

"We’re thin in numbers, but one thing about track, it’s a team sport in one way, but it’s an individual sport, too," Matney said.

"Track is hard work. These kids are out here every day working hard and they have a real good attitude."

Leading the team will be seniors Ryan Boggs and Jamie Hurst. Boggs, who throws the shot put and discus, and Hurst, a long jumper and sprinter, both advanced to the regionals last season.

"Boggs should do well, and Hurst looks like she’s better than last year," said Matney.

Hurst will be part of the relay teams that also include Sheena Wallace, Ronica Nichols, and Spring Lollis.

Wallace, Hurst, and Boggs are the team’s only seniors.

Matney said the girls relay teams will be a positive.

"They look like they can be pretty decent," Matney said.

The group will run the 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams.

Nichols is a freshman and Lollis a sophomore. Matney said the younger team members have some ability.

"They’re going to be pretty good down the road, but right now they’ve got to learn," said Matney.

The Bobcats will look to junior Jon Cherry to score in the hurdles, sophomores Josh Smith and Chris Sanders to back up Boggs in the shot put and discus, and freshmen Justin Hensley, Josh George, and Ron Lopez to do most of the sprints and relays, while freshman Patrick White runs distance races.

For the girls, juniors Ashlee Liles and Amy Rice will do the shot put and discus, and freshmen Thea White will run the 800 and Janice Stapleton will throw the shot put and discus.

"The young kids will get a real learning experience. Running against older kids after running against junior high kids last year is quite a change, but they’ll do all right," said Matney.