Mustangs want to remain towards top of SVC

Westfall Mustangs Girls Track and Field
Coach: Nick Davey
2022 finish: Third in Scioto Valley Conference
Key returnees: Summer Hanson, sprints and hurdles; Alexis Alatorre-Aviles, sprints and hurdles; Caitlyn Shipley mid-distance and distance; Anay Sierra, distance; Izabella Picklesimer, sprints and high jump; Marianna Packer, relays and long jump; Addi Siders, throws; Makalie Crabtree mid-distance and distance; Reese Paudicz, mid-distance and distance
Key newcomers: Alexus Steinbrook, sprints and relays; Hope Bryant, spirts; Claire Abrigg, mid-distance and Olivia Dick, hurdles and sprints:

Expectations: The Mustangs took a major hit in graduation with the loss of state champion pole vaulter Peyton Proffitt, who set the new program record at 12′ 9” during the state championships last June. Westfall also lost the services of high jumper Ashley Hegarty in that class.

Despite those losses, coach Nick Davey is optimistic entering the season with a number of key returnees and some reinforcements arriving in the program.

I have good expectations for the upcoming season. We have several returners that have the ability to score points throughout this season and lead the team,” he said. “However, we have a lot of new faces this year that show promise. The team as a whole is very young and I am still figuring out where certain people will best help the team. The work ethic from everyone has been very good and there seems to be a lot of positivity surrounding the team. I expect that within the first couple of meets we should be settled in with everyone knowing their role for the team.

“Last season was very special in the fact that we had several regional qualifiers and Peyton Proffitt qualified for state and won the state championship in the pole vault. Losing Peyton and Ashley Hegarty leaves some shoes that will be hard to fill.

“I have high hopes for junior Caitlyn Shipley this year, as she just missed out on qualifying for the state meet last year,” Davey continued. “Caitlyn is definitely going to be very competitive in the mid-distance races this year, as well as a key component on a couple relays. I also feel that Summer Hanson is going to be more of a competitor in the 300 hurdles. As far as the field events, I expect that Izabella Picklesimer is going to be competitive in the High Jump and Addi Siders in the throws. The sprinting events are in more of a building year due to the fact that we graduated a couple of seasoned sprinters. Overall, I am excited for the season and cannot wait to see the growth that this team is capable of.”