Schools
Spring Sports: Gaither Cowboys Track and Field District Preview
The Gaither Cowboys host this year's 4A District 6 track meet on Thursday at 1 p.m. Athletes who qualify will compete at regionals the next week.
The Gaither Cowboys are not in contention for the team district title, but they could surprise people with how many athletes they move on to the next level.
The boys team only scored 30 points, and the girls scored 51 at last year’s meet, behind dominant performances from Wharton, Plant and Alonso. Alonso, Wharton and Plant will more than likely finish first, second, and third again this year but Gaither is poised to double their points from last year.
On the girls side, one bet to move on to regionals is sophomore Kiana Bryant. Kiana will run the 100-meter and 200-meter as well as the relays. Kiana is the reigning district champion in the 100-meter and she’s a little bit faster this year. She was also third in last year’s 200-meter race.
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Nikki Perrini returns for her senior season at pole vault. Nikki just missed regionals last year and it’s all or nothing this year. If Nikki can break nine feet, she should get through. Perrini also has a shot in 100-meter hurdles.
Ashley Caraway has a chance if she continues to improve her high jump height. She jumped 4’6” at The Steinbrenner Invitational this year.
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On the boys side, Junior Paul Barret returns to do, well, most anything. Barret is a great all-around athlete who has not found his signature event yet.
He did make regionals last year in high jump at 5’10,” but the district competition will be tougher this year. He might have to clear six feet to advance. Barret has also run sprints and hurdles this year, he could breakout in any event he’s entered in. The 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles races he ran at this year’s Steinbrenner Inviational would easily qualify him for regionals in both events. Barret might have found his event in the hurdles.
Vasilio Nenos might break through in shot and disc. Last year, he was 18 inches away from regionals in shot and in the middle of the pack in disc. He could surprise some people by getting in.
Sophomore Jamari Cord will compete in the triple jump and will need to step it up if he wants to make regionals.
The meet is on Thursday at 1 p.m. on the Gaither track.
Stay tuned to Carrollwood Patch for updates on the meet.