California track and field returns next week for their 2024 season, following a stellar year filled with wins, medals and standout performances.
"The 2023 season was a great one. The weather worked out great and we had kids competing as hard as they possibly could. The lows of the season were some of our high caliber athletes dealing with lingering injuries and trying to get healthy before big competitions. The highs of the season include the Tri-County conference meet where we had seven All-Conference performances on the girls side and three on the boys side," Head Coach Eric Stout said. "From there, we advanced a number of athletes and events from districts into sectionals and we ended with seven total athletes making it to the State competition."
California's returning runners include Kenzleigh Goans, who set a school record in the girls 800-meter run. Allie Heather was an All-Conference and All-District runner in the girls 400-meter dash.
Ayden Bryant is coming off an All-State season in the long jump. Jackson Hensley made sectionals in 2023 in the 100-meter dash and Alexis Anguiano is coming off honor awards in the shot put and discus.
Stout does believe California might have a target on their back from being one of the best overall teams in the Tri-County Conference last year. He said the biggest opponents they will face throughout the season will include Eldon, Osage and Centralia.
However, Stout wants his team to focus on themselves and their game. Then let the results take care of themselves.
Stout gave credit to his coaching staff for their help in preparing his team for the grind that will be the 2024 season. Stout said each one of his assistants has a unique strength that can help bring California to even greater heights this spring.
"I just want to thank the coaching staff and all the hard work they put in each season," Stout said. "Coach Matzes is an all-time track and field guy that provides so much knowledge and dedication to California and the sport. Coach Reno does a tremendous job with the horizontal jump athletes, providing them with a rigorous workout each day to maximize their potential. Coach Grubb brings strong principles and values to our throwing athletes and he will be a huge asset for our program. Coach Baker continues to run the distance program, and has made a major step in being the head middle school coach for the season. This move helps our program in more ways than I can explain.
"All of our coaches are the best coaches we could possibly have in California and I know they care deeply about each athlete and their success," Stout continued. "I'm thankful for them and the California community needs to know the people behind the scenes that take our kids and school to the next level."
California's season begins Tuesday at the Russellville Open.