SPRING SPORTS 2009: Girls Track Numbers Improving for Du Quoin
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The numbers are improved‹and the expectations growing‹for Du Quoin High
School's Girls Track and Field team.
Entering next Tuesday's opening meet at Sparta, the Lady Indians carry
an 18-athlete roster. That's nearly doubled from a year ago and there's a
nice mix of upperclassmen and younger talent filtering into the program.
"We do have better numbers and that should help us score more points and
to just be more competitive," lLady Indians assistant coach Shawn <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1237489118_0">File</span> said.
"We lost a lot of points with Kirstin Osborn (Rend Lake track) and Miranda
Bunge (Rend Lake volleyball) graduating. They will be hard to replace."
There are five seniors on this year's squad, led by fourth-year
participants Zoe Gross (distance) and Kelsey Rodley (middle distance).
Sprinter Whitney Woods is back after lettering as a sophomore.
Kayla Willi (weights) and Hilary Ruffing (middle distance) are two
seniors participating for the first time.
In the junior class, cross country standout Mallory Hill (middle
distance, distance) returns along with sprinter LaKeisha Johnson and Lexi
Korbar (400 meters, relays).
Staci Davis (weights, jumps, relays) is a first-year trackster.
Molly Miller (middle distance), Jordyn Reel (middle distance) and Trinee
Pham Neuyen (distance) complete the junior class.
Sophomore Kara Baker (middle distance) and freshman Fatima Pirtle‹like
Hill a cross country standout‹are also being counted on.
A talented freshman class includes Jessica Phillips (jumps, sprints),
Dominique Johnson (weights), Braelee Osborn (jumps), Haley Baudison
(sprints) and Kirsten Knapp (middle distance) round out the roster.
"The girls have been working hard and seem pretty excited about the
season ahead," File said. "Just having better numbers should help us be more
successful."
File and <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1237489118_1">longtime head coach</span> Shane Boyett will again guide the Lady
Indians.
2009 <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1237489118_2">Du Quoin Lady Indians Track</span>
March 24‹@ Sparta, 4:00
March 31‹@ Herrin, 4:00
April 4‹Benton Spring Fling, 11:00
April 7‹@ Herrin, 4:00
April 10‹Herrin Invite, 4:00
April 13‹Sesser-Valier Relays, 3:30
April 20‹Benton Invite, 4:00
April 24‹Sparta Invite, 4:00
April 27‹Herrin Invite, 4:00
May 1‹<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1237489118_3">Nashville</span> Invite, 3:30
May 7‹SIRR @ Chester, 3:30
May 11‹Christopher Invite, 3:30
May 15‹Class A Sectional @ Nashville, TBA
May 22-23‹IHSA State Finals, Charleston
May 25‹SIU Meet of Champions, TBA