Loren Turner admits his favorite day of the week is Wednesday. Usually that's the day when it all comes together for the
Cherokee Trail girls track team.
Few teams in the state boast the sort of depth and talent enjoyed by the Cougars in two marquee events—the 100 meter dash and the long jump. Yet, given the commitments those athletes have with their club teams, and even other spring varsity squads at Cherokee Trail, rare is the occasion when they are together long enough to take aim at one another during a Cougars practice session.
Not so on Wednesdays. At the midweek training session Turner typically counts on full attendance from a young and dynamic group of athletes that includes sophomores
Amanda Andrews and
Shayna Yon, juniors
Daisha Stanley and
Hannah Sparks, and freshman
Haley Rogers.
On Wednesdays, Turner gets to witness the high-octane talent that should carry the Cougars into contention once the Class 5A state finals roll around.
"I look forward to those days when everyone's time allows them to all get here together," Turner said. "With their other sports and their academic stuff, it can be intense. But usually Wednesdays are the best ones with all of them there. All of the animosity from whatever happened on Saturday has washed away. They're looking forward to competing and the next week. It's fun to watch."
About two weeks removed from an impressive win at the Broomfield Shootout, the Cherokee Trail girls team has its sights set on next month's state meet. Leading the way has been Yon, a bona fide state title contender in two events who hadn't even really considered track as an option as recently as about 15 months ago.
Yon had seemingly found her niche as a gymnast when Turner approached her about possibly coming out for the track team. Years ago, Turner coached Yon's father in basketball at George Washington. He recognized similar athletic ability in Yon, yet even the veteran coach has been amazed at the strides she has made in a relatively short span.
After finishing 11th in the 100 meter dash during the preliminary heats at state last year, Yon began this week with Class 5A's second-best mark in the 100 (12.6 during a win at the Broomfield Shootout) and the top 5A mark in the long jump (18-6.75).
"I'd been a gymnast since second grade, but I quit gymnastics so I could do track," Yon said. "I tried long jump this year and I'm loving it. I feel a lot more confident in my races. I'm encouraging my teammates and am trying to stay as humble as I can. We've all been encouraging each other and helping each other along."
Yon leads a wealth of talent in the 100 meter dash for the Cougars, who boast three of the top 15 times in 5A. Stanley, who splits time as a regular with Cherokee Trail's solid girls soccer team, placed fourth at state last year in the 100 and currently sports a top time of 12.51. And Rodgers, the group's newcomer, ranks 15th in 5A with a 12.80.
Add to the equation Andrews, a standout hurdler, and Sparks, who, like Yon, is a state title contender in the long jump, and Turner is confident his Cougars will easily surpass the 13th-place finish they put together at state last year.
"When we're all at practice, we really push each other and stick together," said Sparks, who recently had a season-long jump of 18-2 that ultimately was scratched. "Each year when I go in I try to jump one foot further. As a freshman I did 16 and last year it was 17. Hopefully I can stay around 18 this year."
