In terms of number of athletes, Sedona Red Rock High School’s track and field team is smaller this season than in the past. Coach Harry Schneider estimated that the team will have roughly 25 to 30 students once winter sports end and certain athletes come out of quarantine. But while the numbers on the team are small, the commitment is big.
Schneider noted that he could count on one hand the number of athletes who were at the first week of official practice — which started on Monday, March 1 — who did not participate in the team’s winter program.
“That means these kids want to be here — they want to be good,” Schneider said. “In other years it’s been like pulling teeth to get someone during the winter. But this year almost everyone. I think there’s only like three that weren’t, which is awesome. That’s exciting. It really is. They have that attitude and want to do it.”
Part of that enthusiasm comes from the fact that last season was canceled after only one meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, with the spring season getting going, the Scorpion athletes are ready to get back out in their events.
“I’m super excited,” said sophomore Bella Williams, a pole vaulter and hurdler. “I’ve been looking forward to this since volleyball season.”
“It kind of got cut short last year,” added junior Sarah Frey, who, like Williams, plays on the SRRHS volleyball team and does hurdles and the pole vault. “But with the little bit that we had and all of us making improvements, I’m excited to see what more comes out of it.”
Despite the small numbers, the Scorpions have a chance to be well represented at the state meet in may. Schneider estimated that at least 10 Scorpions have a chance to at least make state individually.
That list includes both Williams and Frey and their events. Senior Courtney Hansen placed second in the state as a sophomore in the shot put while senior Eric Schrader was sixth in the pole vault two years ago. Schneider also identified Schrader and fellow senior Odin McGinnis as potential state qualifiers in the javelin.
On the sprints, Schneider feels that seniors Tiana Trujillo and Francisco Bekele are state caliber. The coach also lauded the half mile of sophomore Jackie Palmer, which he said could be as good as any in the state.
The SRRHS distance runners are also a potential strength of the team. Naturally, that includes a lot of runners from the girls cross country team — which qualified for state in the fall — and the boys team, which narrowly missed. That includes both junior Shota Yabuuchi on the boys side and freshman Skyla Bird from the girls, both of whom Schneider also touted as potential state qualifiers and even scorers.
Another long distance runner who qualified for state in the fall was junior Louise “Breezy” Taylor, although she qualified for state in swimming, not cross country. She’s been running track since the winter and is happy with her decision.
“I’ve only been on the team for three, four months now,” Taylor said. “It’s a really fun vibe. Everyone is really welcoming and it’s really fun to hang out with everybody.”
Schneider knows that the numbers — or lack thereof — could ultimately prove costly for the Scorpions as a team. With that, he’s shifted his focus to the individuals and looks forward to seeing what they will do in the upcoming season.
“I’m used to thinking about the state level — the individuals are at the state level,” Schneider said. “I’m excited for the individuals. From a team standpoint, I don’t think we have any one relay that’s state level. We’re lacking bodies. That’s a problem with the smaller schools. It’s tough to get numbers. Individually we can compete with anybody anywhere.”
