Gardner Edgerton High School Track & Field Season Preview (KS)

As the track and field season approaches, the excitement and anticipation are building for the Gardner Edgerton High School team. This year, the team is looking to defend their 6A state championship in boys' cross country and make significant strides in the track and field events. To gain more insight on the team and their goals this year, we sat down with Coach Admin Admin for a preview of the Blazers' upcoming season. The team boasts strong returning seniors, including Parker Walion, Jadyn Campbell, and Dawson Kindler. Walion, who ran an impressive 4:15 in the 1600m last season, was the Sunflower League Champion and Regional Champion. He finished 4th at the state meet and was a pivotal factor in the boys' cross country team winning the state championship last fall. Campbell, a pole vault specialist, also had a standout season, clearing 15'0" twice and finishing 4th at both the Sunflower League and Regional meets. Meanwhile, Kindler, who threw a personal record of 190-4 in the javelin, was the Sunflower League champion and placed 2nd at the Regional and State meets. With these strong senior leaders, the boys' team has their sights set on big goals this year. On the girls' side, the team is still in development but Coach Admin is impressed with the progress they have made over the past two seasons. With a great mix of junior and senior leaders to mentor the freshmen and sophomores, the girls' team is expected to be competitive this season. "I'm really excited for them," Coach Admin states confidently. When asked about the team leaders, Coach Admin shares that they are voted by their teammates based on criteria such as work ethic, leadership style, and positive behavior both on and off the track. This not only fosters a strong team dynamic but also ensures that the team is led by individuals who embody the values and expectations of the program. One of the factors that sets the team apart is the level of competition in the Sunflower League. Coach Admin notes, "We do not have to look very far to find amazing competition," as many of the top teams in the state come from their league. This regular season grind against talented opponents helps the team prepare for the championship portion of the season.