STRAC GIRLS TRACK & FIELD: WAVERLY'S HOGAN LIKES ATTITUDE, WORK ETHIC OF GIRLS TEAM HEADING INTO 2024 (2024-04-02)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
WAVERLY — Longtime Waverly track & field coach Dave Hogan has solid numbers on the girls team, and likes what he sees in terms of attitude and work ethic heading into the 2024 season.

“We’re fortunate to have solid numbers from the girls team, with a number of returning sprinters and certainly some returning veteran distance runners,” said Hogan.

“Like the boys, our girls will look to be competitive within the STAC Central Division, and try for a Section IV Class C title,” he noted.

“Our distance runners could be big place-winners, and will look to advance well into the postseason, with maybe a trip to the state meet in an event or two,” continued Hogan. “Our sprint relays will look to re-claim top spots in big Invitationals we attend, as well as the post-season.

“The girls have a competitive attitude and are ready to work to get to the top,” he added.

The Wolverines return several key athletes, including distance runners sophomore Mackenzie Chamberlain, 8th-grader Makenzie Olmsted, and senior Elizabeth Vaughn, as well as sprinters sophomore Haylie Davenport, and juniors Haley Larrabee, Kendal Shaffer, and Kiley Stillman. Sophomore Mira Kittle returns to run hurdles, and senior Mackenzie LaForest returns to throw.

Hogan believes Olmsted is one to watch.

“Makenzie Olmsted has an opportunity to be a young leader on the girls team, possessing an outstanding work ethic and a drive to be the best.

“There's great competition in Section IV and getting to States is not easy, but Makenzie showed last year as an 8th-grader that she's on a path to greatness in the 1500-meter run,” said Hogan.

Eighth-grader Kaylin Twedt is a newcomer to keep an eye on, says Hogan.

“Kaylin Twedt is likely to turn heads this spring - she's fast, strong, smart and coachable.  Best part is, she's only in 8th grade.”

One staple the Wolverines will be without this year is junior Harper Minaker.

“We're really going to miss Harper Minaker's output and contributions to our girls team on the distance end,” said Hogan. “She's still recovering from an injury and is likely to miss most of competition from what we currently know.”

Waverly opens the 2024 campaign Tuesday at Corning.

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IN PHOTO: Waverly’s Makenzie Olmsted. … VSR STOCK PHOTO.