Woods Cross track toughs out hard season

There was a will, but there was no way for the Woods Cross boys' track and field team to overcome injuries this season.

With top distance runners like Taylor Hansen and Zack Hollows hampered by leg injuries, the boys' team sputtered and crashed.

Once thought to be on target as one of Class 4A's best teams, the Wildcats unraveled at the Region 5 Track Championship. Unable to win a single event on their home field, the Woods Cross boys finished in sixth place. Only able to muster 78 points, they lost the region to Box Elder who scored 129 points.

At the state meet, things went from bad to worse. Struggling with injuries, the boys scored just five points, finishing tied for 18th place. In addition to the distance runners' injuries, they also lost Brad Bishop to an ankle injury. Even though the season ended with frustration, coaches say that they feel good about next year's squad because this one showed heart.

"This is a team that cares about each other and it's a team that will come back," says Coach Sam Wood.

Looking ahead to next year, the team loses experienced runners in Taylor Hansen, Chris Brown and Carston Millward but they return a number of talented young runners.

Distance runner Zach Hallows is back along with sprinter Josh Brown, plus the entire 4x100 relay team. Wood says that the team really lacked strong performers in the field events, and they'll have to correct that if they want to challenge teams like Box Elder, Mountain Crest and Roy next season.

The girls team was led by Sarah Edwards and senior Trisha Wright who helped the team to a fourth-place finish in region and sixth at the state meet. Edwards won the finals of the 800m while her legendary grandfather LaVell Edwards watched the Woods Cross team compete both days.

Just a sophomore, Edwards looks to be a candidate to replace Bonneville's Ally Dean as the top runner in Region 5.

Dean tore up the region championship, winning four events including the 100m, 200m, 400m and 100m hurdles. Edwards won multiple events as well, collecting victories in the 1600m and 800m.

Joining her next season on the Wildcat roster will be junior distance runner Sandra Rangel and sprinter Andreia Dixon. Newcomer Brittney Harris is also expected to contribute.

The coaches say that they are fortunate to have a young girls team.

"One of our top distance runners (Trisha Wright) leaves but that's it, so next year's team should be pretty good," said girls Coach Sam Wood.

In addition to the loss of Wright, the girls lose senior sprinter Jana Rogers and thrower Courtney Wilkes. The senior took seventh place in the discus throw at the state meet.

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E-mail: tpeterson@desnews.com