After finishing in the top three of the state track championships the past two years, the Sahuaro High School girls track team is hoping some senior leadership mixed in with some freshman star power takes them to the next level this season.
“I think we really want to do it this year, because it sucks to be that close two years in a row and especially with soccer being so close,” said senior Lily Haspert, a star on Sahuaro’s Class 4A Division I runner-up soccer team, which lost in the championship game last month on penalty kicks.
“I think it pushes us a little bit harder knowing that we can do it and we are very capable of doing it. It just hasn’t happened yet.”
The Cougars looked good in their championship quest Wednesday in winning a home triangular meet over Sabino 117-38 and Catalina Foothills (22).
Haspert’s soccer teammate, freshman Kathy Fisher, won Wednesday’s 100-meter dash in 12.32 seconds, won the 300 hurdles with a personal best of 46.42 and also ran the anchor leg on Sahuaro’s winning 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams.
Fisher combined in the 4×100 relay win with Haspert, Britany McGregor and Tiana Ross. Their 50.17 seconds effort narrowly edged the 50.64 posted by a Catalina Foothills’ quartet of Erin Peterson, Monica Ahanonu, Adriana Chrite and Sara Chronister.
After her big day, Fisher deflected all the praise to her elder teammates.
“Our seniors are really our leaders,” Fisher said. “Lily Haspert is one of the fastest girls we have.
“We have one of the best track teams this year, so we are hoping to go all the way.”
While the hunger and determination is there, Sahuaro coach Andrew Christian knows winning a state title won’t be easy.
“Even though we have one of the strongest teams we’ve had in while, it’s going to be a challenge,” Christian said.
By Geoff Grammer, Rodney Haas