Bell, Trinity track turning focus to next year

Another successful track season is in the books for Hurst L.D. Bell and Euless Trinity, but already both programs are looking to next season.

While both programs featured strong performances from seniors, many of the athletes who advanced to the postseason for both squads are underclassmen. This includes Trinity’s Cameron Jones, a junior-to-be, who advanced to state in the 400-meter dash.

At Bell, senior Jaylin Brooks narrowly missed a berth at state in the triple jump after winning district and area. He placed fourth at the 6A Region I Meet with a career-best performance of 47 feet, 2 inches.

Brooks was one of four Bell athletes to advance to regionals, all seniors. He was joined by fellow Blue Raiders Sutton Stanfield in the pole vault and Ramish Maida in the high jump, along with Lady Raider Sidra Triplett in the discus.

“The seniors are always the leaders because they have the most experience,” coach Gerald Smith said. “The seniors are always a huge part of our success each season.”

At Trinity, seniors Armani Battle ran a leg of the girls 1600 relay that set a school record of 3:54.91 at the area meet. Also, she and senior Kalimah Muhammad were on the 400 relay that came close to a school record.

Battle reached regionals in the 200 and as part of the 1600 relay with juniors Precious Ogba and Anne Longangu and freshman Shawnee McNew.

Also for Trinity, senior Chris Daniels advanced to regionals after winning district and area championships in the shot put.

But underclassmen played a key role in the success of both teams, most notably Jones, who advanced to regionals in three events. Along with the 400, he reached the 6A Region I meet in the 200 and as part of the 400 relay with junior John Davis and seniors Kaden Kohou and Keinn Courage.

Jones qualified for state as a wild card. He was third in the 400 at regionals, but his time of 47.16 was the fastest among third-place finishers crossing all four regions.

Ogba also made it to the region meet in the 400.

It was a learning season, but also a successful season for the younger athletes, both Smith and Trinity coach David Ryon agreed.

“I feel like freshmen and sophomores who participated on varsity got a taste of what it takes to be successful on the varsity level,” Smith said. “Hopefully they will take the knowledge of that experience and use it to get better.

“The kids who participated on JV learned how to succeed and to believe in themselves. That will go along way into being able to make the step up to the varsity level when their opportunity comes along.”

Ryon said all it took was for some of his athletes to get a taste of success to develop the necessary confidence to move them forward in the program.

“When they competed, they saw they could be successful,” Ryon said.

Next season will have Bell and Trinity, along with current 7-6A partner Southlake Carroll, moving into a new district, 5-6A. They will be joined by Lewisville, Flower Mound, Hebron, Marcus and Trophy Club Nelson.

“It’s going to be a tough district, but that’s what you need if you want to be successful past the district level,” Smith said.

Ryon said the league switch is like “going from the fire to the frying pan, losing a few schools that were good to getting the Lewisville schools that are overall better than the ones we lost. They have great depth in all events.”

So that means returning athletes had better get to work and stay busy this summer, right?

“Distance people need to start running earlier and continue through track season. Distance runners in the new district are insane. To compete, they need to train,” Ryon said. “Sprinters need to get in the weight room this summer and get stronger. I think we have a great nucleus to be competitive next year, but it will take a lot of individual work this summer.”

Smith said it is also important for athletes to take an honest evaluation of themselves. He said they should be trying to identify their weaknesses and work to minimize them before next season.

“Example, I was slow out of the blocks this year, so work on becoming explosive and better block technique,” he said. “The offseason is also a good time to try some new events and train different muscles than you have been using.”

This story was originally published May 30, 2016 at 1:16 PM with the headline "Bell, Trinity track turning focus to next year."