Sports > High School

  High School  

Newton sprinters take fast track to success

BY JASON AULT

Wichita Eagle correspondent

The Newton boys track team has certainly shown how to blaze trails this season, producing some of the best sprinters in Class 5A.

And it all starts with junior Grant Loescher, who has one of the fastest times for the 100-meter dash in the state. He won last week at Derbywith a time of 10.59 seconds, fighting some tough wind conditions.

Loescher has his sights set even higher.

"For me, placing top in league and regionals would be my goals," Loescher said. "Hopefully, I can then do good at state."

Loescher has been a versatile contributor for the Railers. After competing in the 200 and 400 last year, he moved to the 100 this season with much success.

"He has run much better than we were expecting," Newton coach Tad Remsberg said. "As the season has gone on, he has gotten stronger and stronger. He is definitely a big part of our team."

Loescher is also an important cog in Newton's state-leading 400-meterrelay team. Hopes are high, considering last year's team was disqualified in the state finals for a dropped baton.

"We just want to come out and compete the best we can," fellow relay member Zach Roberts said. "If we can win, that's great, but we just need to run as fast as we can."

Soaring Eagle _ It did not take Maize junior Mike Flores long to make noise in the state track scene. As a sophomore, Flores won a state title in the Class 6A 400 as well as qualifying for state in the triple jump.

Flores is back for more this season, leading the state in the 400, while ranking second in the triple jump.

"It's been pretty good so far," Flores said. "My times are good, and I want to get them even better."

For all his physical ability, Flores knows that mental toughness is also critical to success.

"It's pretty much a mindset that I know for me to continue to be the state champion, I need to continue to work hard and not let myself get a big head," Flores said.

Maize coach Brent Pfeifer has warned Flores of the pitfalls of early success.

"Sometimes, it is actually easier to work your way up and try to be the best," Pfeifer said. "When you are on top, everyone is trying to knockyou down. To stay on top, we have to push him and he has to push himself to continue to get better every day. There are a lot of guys out there who want to get where he is."