Similar to the cross country team that proceeded him, Clarkston girls track coach John Yorke expects another young squad this spring. Led by returning distance runners and cross x-ers Jenna Leach, Kristen Smith and Tiffany Kincaid, the Wolves hope to repeat their success from 2006 as OAA, county and regional champions.
‘We’re going to be young, but we should be pretty successful this year,? Yorke said.
Leach will have a strong presence on the squad, as she did in the fall.
‘She’s crucial to everybody as far as leadership,? Yorke said. ‘We’re very young behind her.?
In addition to the distance runners, the Wolves also return state qualifiers in Autumn Touchstone (hurdles/sprints), Stephanie Thorstad (high-jump/sprint), Jenna Manilla (high-jump/middle distance) and Taylor Radamacher (high jump).
The hotbed of talent from Clarkston’s cross country program, which produced three consecutive state championships from 2003-?05, is quite a boon for the spring season.
‘It gives you a lot of talent to choose from,? Yorke said.
Yorke is uncertain about the team’s status in their conference this year due to a consistently challenging OAA.
‘It can be anyone’s league this year. The whole league is pretty balanced, I don’t think anyone has an idea yet.?
The girls took a good first step in the right direction getting a split with Rochester Adams and Lake Orion in an OAA I season opener at Clarkston April 3. Look for the results of that and every girls? track meet this sesason at http://www.clarkstonnews.com.