Ready to run

Repeating as state champion is no easy task.

And for Timpview's boys track team, that challenge has been compounded this season.

Besides the standard challenges of graduated scorers and unknown talent lurking at rival schools, the Thunderbirds' repeat efforts have been set back by other unexpected sources.

Due to construction of a new artificial playing surface for the T-bird football and soccer teams, the track and field facilities took a devastating blow. The shot put ring, long jump runways and most other field event facilities were destroyed or displaced through construction efforts. Additionally, a scheduled track resurfacing still has not come to pass.

"People don't realize how big of a blow that is for facilities and conditioning," said Timpview coach Brian Kuhlmann. "It's a matter of me trying to condition these kids without hurting them. You're running on a fine line, and if you cross that line they'll come in with stress fractures and shin splints."

Notwithstanding the challenges present, Timpview seems to be in contention for another state-title run. Though the T-Birds lost a lot of points in the field events, other shortcomings from last year have been shored up.

"What we're going to have to do this year is get more production out of our distance runners," Kuhlmann said. "I think that maybe they can do a little better job as far as placing at state."

Those efforts will be aided by the T-birds' state champion cross-country team, a tight group headlined by a pair of sophomores in Nathan Fletcher and Jon Nelson.

"The kids I have are pretty young, but I think as time goes on, they'll get stronger," Kuhlmann said.

Here's a look at how the valley's schools shape up.

Region 7

TIMPVIEW THUNDERBIRDS

Head coach: Brian Kuhlmann

2006 finish: first in region, first at state

Athletes/events to watch: Beau Healey (hurdles), Jaren Goodwin (sprints), Nathan Fletcher (distance), Jon Nelson (distance), Bennett Wilson (hurdles), Tyler Goodwin (sprints), Chris Page (long jump)

Outlook: The T-birds are looking strong to repeat, returning a number of state scorers from a year ago. The distance squad is young and talented, and with the Goodwin brothers manning the sprints, Timpview has a promising season ahead.

SPRINGVILLE RED DEVILS