Race for track title expected to be wide open

Nick Christensen

Friday, March 12, 2004 | 10:04 a.m.

Last season, northern teams came to the NIAA 4A Track and Field championships in Henderson and left the South wondering just what happened.

Reno won on the girls' side, with Mojave and Green Valley tied for a distant second. Green Valley did take the boys' team championship, but two northern teams outpaced fourth-place Desert Pines by far.

Things could only get worse for Southern Nevada schools as the 2004 track and field season begins. Not only is the state championship at Reno's Reed High, but there's no clear leader of the pack amongst the boys or girls, on the west side or east side of town.

For the boys, traditional favorites Palo Verde, Centennial and Durango look to pace the field again in the Sunset region. But Clark, led by defending 100-meter champion Darrell Carter, could be a surprise, as could Mojave.

On the east side of town, the Gators figure to defend their championship against strong teams from Las Vegas, Silverado, Desert Pines, and Basic.

"Vegas, Desert Pines, Silverado really good always," Foothill coach Geoff Walker said. "Number one will probably be Silverado again, just because of their track record. I think Green Valley will have some guys. Desert Pines, standard teams who are always up there, just have great coaches, seem to get kids out. You've gotta go with them."

Foothill's girls, Walker said, will also figure well, led by jumper Cassandra Strickland. But Silverado, who finished fourth last season, will likely be the front-runner for the girls in the Sunrise region. Green Valley, Basic and Coronado also look to have strong seasons.

On the west side, Palo Verde, Cimarron, Centennial, and Bonanza have the strongest teams heading into next week's opening meet.

"Palo Verde, Cimarron, Centennial, Bonanza sometimes has strong teams, Durango too," Clark coach Paul Zwintscher said. "It's hard to say what is happening until the season starts."