HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Saints off and running

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By Morgan Breitbach, Xavier junior

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Xavier boys' and girls' track teams began their seasons recently with high hopes.The Saints are looking to fill the holes left by last season's seniors, but are returning some key athletes from last year's squad.

The girls return seniors Molly Breitbach and Allison Schwach. The boys return seniors Jacob Schmitt, Nick Robinson and Miles Sullivan.'The goals for this season are to qualify as many (relay) teams as we can for Drake Relays and state,' junior Kayla Torson said.'We want to improve our times throughout the season so that when state comes around we can be at our peak.'

The girls' team competed in the Demon Indoor track meet at the University of Iowa on March 4. Breitbach placed seventh out of 62 in the 60 meter dash and junior Carlie Jurgens finished 11th out of 74 in the 400.

'Seeing what we can accomplish as a team this year, especially since we dropped down to (Class) 3A, is going to be fun,' Torson said.

The boys also competed in the Demon Indoor meet on March 6. Sophomore Nick Stark placed 11th out of 114 in the 60-meter dash.

The meets for the boys and girls mark the beginning of the indoor season with the team mainly practicing indoors as the weather stays cold. Once it warms up, practice will move outside and the teams will start competing in outdoor meets, as well.

'My individual goals for this season are to make it to state in the one mile (1,600) and two mile (3,200) events,' Jacob Schmitt said. 'I want to improve every meet. I'm hoping since we are in 3A this year, a lot of the team will make it to state. I hope to be a leader and help other people improve this season.'