The Craig County outdoor track team will compete for the first time today when the Rockets travel to Lord Botetourt for a meet. Action is set to begin at 4:30 pm in Daleville.
Jayke Dowdy returns to coach the Rockets and he has 20 athletes on the roster. Included on this year’s team are Carter Calfee, Noah Paxton, Casey Hutchinson, Brook Wright, Makenna All, Carter Price, Caleb Fields, Peyton Fields, Jeremiah Fowler, Tristan Dooley, Brad Arthurs, Wyatt Huffman, Bentley Smith, Dylan Sarver, Riley Shiftlet, Dreydin Smith, Bradyn Dunbar, Blake Kendall, Robbie Eakin and Isaiah Nichols.
“I have a very young group that has been working hard in the weight room,” said Dowdy. “Sadly, the Pioneer district does not host any track meets during the season so we have to face off with 3A-4A schools at the majority of our meets. While it would be nice to see equal competition, I am confident that this is a group of kids that is mature enough to know we are only racing our own numbers until May when it counts.”
The Rockets are at Giles for an invitational this Friday, then run at Alleghany on April 17.
“Our jumpers will have to learn on the fly since we do not have the facilities to practice many of the events,” said Dowdy. “This group of kids has a ton of potential, and I am excited to see them grow over the next few years.”
