Payson Roundup

The Payson High School track teams, still reeling from the absence of players due to spring break, travels today, March 20, to Springerville-Eagar for a Round Valley High School-hosted multi-meet.

With some athletes on family vacations, assistant coach Chuck Yale wasn’t sure just how many would be available to travel, but anticipates about 40 of the 93 on both rosters.

Last week the team sent only a small contingent of representatives to meets at Sedona, Queen Creek and Buckeye.

Cody York could participate in the RV meet after clearing 6 feet, 4 inches on March 10 at Sedona.

Nick Goodman, a senior who has been traveling to Paradise Valley Community College to practice, vaulted 13 feet at Queen Creek.

“I’ve been consistently going 13 and 13-6 in practice,” he said.

“I’m definitely going to Round Valley for the meet.”

As a junior competing last spring at the state meet, Goodman narrowly won the pole vault title at 13-feet on fewer misses.

For the Lady Longhorns, multi-talented Maddie Nossek could contend for a long jump gold medal at RVHS.

At Queen Creek, she took first with a leap of 17 feet, 1 inch that eclipsed her PR of 16 feet, 8 inches.

As a freshman, Nossek won the 3A state long jump championship. Last season she had to settle for second after Sedona’s Hannah Mosley won with a 16-foot, 5-inch effort.

Others who have been competing during the spring break are Jenna Robertson (shot put), Ryan Hintz (high jump), Jacquelyn Oesterblad (1600 meters), Donovan Swanson (high jump) and Holly West (shot put).

The track teams will not be in home action until April 8 when the Payson Coed Invitational will be held. Field events begin at 2 p.m.