In what should be an exciting 2015 season, the Carbon Dino track team will take to the track on Wednesday in its season opener.
Though the meet won’t be a qualifier, the Dinos will kick off the season against region foes in a tune up for the rest of the season. Payson, North Sanpete, Juab, Richfield and Emery will all be in attendance at Carbon High at 3:30 p.m.
While the boy’s team lost record-breaker Garrett Marsing, head track coach Jimmy Jewkes expects big things from the girls’ side.
“My girl’s team is deep,” Jewkes said.
Top returners include Sarah Ohlwiler, Jordyn Oman, Jaylie Jensen, Taylor Oliver, Zaharah Rossi, Morgan Hillam, Sadie Crompton, Emily Broadbear, Lexi Monson and Jordan Scoggins, among others.
On the boy’s side, Dallin Quinton, Braxton Jones, Talon Nelson, Gabe Van Dyke, Connor Holyoak, Drew Jones and freshman Jorge Martinez-Hernandez will provide a spark for the Dinos.
Jewkes is looking forward to Wednesday’s meet for a number of different reasons.
“I am looking for someone to step up and lead,” he said. “To be the one that rallies everyone around them, establish an identity.”
Jewkes also noted that everyone would get a chance on Wednesday to show what they can contribute to the team.
“This will be a ‘where are we’ type of meet,” he said. “Which kids are going to step up?”
Carbon has lost two major leaders to injury this year. Karina Ivory tore her ACL during basketball season and Lindsey Blanc recently underwent knee surgery.
Wednesday will be a tune up for this weekend’s invitational in Moab. The Grand Invitational will host a slew of schools and will be the first state qualifying meet of the season.