Nearly two months into the season, the Morgan County track and field team has moved past the halfway point of its regular schedule.
With the postseason approaching, head coach Kelan Fraise said he has seen steady improvement across the board.
Fraise noted the team got off to a slower start, largely due to several athletes joining late after competing in other sports. However, he said those athletes quickly adjusted upon returning to the track.
“The season is going well. It only started slowly because we were limited in numbers,” Fraise said. “The kids have bought in, and now they’re on a workout plan that’s starting to show. They’re picking up where they left off last year — reaching PRs, getting faster, jumping farther, and throwing farther.”
Several athletes have already posted notable personal records this season across multiple events.
In the 100-meter dash, sophomore Chandler Aaron, along with seniors Jada Keeley, Makai Owens, and Zeki Locus, all turned in strong performances. Senior Braxton Jones also had a solid showing in the 200-meter dash, while sophomore John Vinson Collier performed well in the 400-meter dash.
In distance events, freshman Ben Boulware and sophomore Peyton Houser led the way in the 3200-meter run.
In field events, sophomore Quinn Takacs and junior Alana Hawkins recorded strong performances in both discus and shot put. Seniors Brody Jenkins and Jack Morris, along with junior Adrian Mohone, also contributed solid efforts in shot put.
Freshman Addisyn Freeman posted strong marks in both the long jump and triple jump, while Aaron also contributed in the triple jump.
Fraise also highlighted the recent return of several boys athletes following the varsity basketball team’s state championship run on March 14. Locus and fellow senior Jacoby Simmons, along with freshman Trey Carter, made their track season debuts in recent weeks.
“First, I just want to congratulate Coach (Cody) Anderson on a successful season and winning the state championship,” Fraise said. “His program was outstanding all year, so kudos to him. Having those boys back is greatly appreciated by both the team and the coaches.”
According to Fraise, the trio made strong impressions at the team’s recent meet in Monticello. Simmons was just shy of a new personal record, while Locus also turned in a strong performance in the 100-meter dash.
“(Zeki) recently tried hurdles for the first time and got back on the track at Monticello,” Fraise said. “He’s already first in the region, so hopefully he can continue to develop, get faster, and stronger. (Trey) is doing really well in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles and is getting back into the swing of things.”
The Bulldogs traveled to North Oconee on April 2, following their meet in Monticello, in what Fraise described as one of their biggest tests of the season, given the level of competition.
“Those schools are in larger classifications and have more athletes, which means more depth and talent,” Fraise said. “At this point in the season — midseason and heading toward the end — we really start focusing in. Early in the year is about getting in shape, getting comfortable, and improving individually.”
Looking ahead, Fraise said the primary goal is to help as many athletes as possible qualify for the state meet while continuing to build endurance and overall conditioning.
“We want to get as many kids as we can to state — not just for the experience, but to be successful beyond sports as well,” Fraise said. “The main thing is preparing them to go out there, perform, and do what they do best.”