The winter track team put in a good showing at their state competition this past weekend, with one competitor making the podium, and four top ten finishes.

Senior Tyri Beard was the only podium finisher for the Cougars. He placed 3rd in the 300m dash, as well as placing 6th in the 55m dash.

“It really felt amazing because I had to practice every day. The 300, I really had to concentrate on what I needed to do to come in first. My time, I think, was a 35.4, and I came in third,” Beard said.

The other top ten finishers include junior John Dalton, 7th in the High Jump and senior Kristoni Barnes, 7th in the 500m dash.

Freshman Erin Spreen also placed 11th in the 1000m run. Spreen said this was a disappointing performance by her standards, but she maintained a positive outlook.

“I felt like with all the good competition that was there I did okay,” Spreen said.

The other event the team participated in was the Girls 4x800m relay. Barnes, sophomore Sydney Quate, junior Casey Turro and Spreen worked together to place 15th.

“We had a tough fall in the last lap of the first leg of the relay, but the girls fought back and still posted a season best time,” said Coach Patrick Marshall, in an email.

All but two of these runners are underclassmen, so the team returns runners with state-level experience.

Many winter track runners continue into the spring track season. Spreen is among those.

“The winter season was really hard and challenging, so it has hopefully made it so that we will be ready for the spring,” Spreen said.

As the highest placing runner at the winter states competition looks to enter his final high school track season, his sights are set on victory.

Beard said, “Winter season has helped me because we practice every day, and I have been doing what I need to do and getting focused. In the spring I will always be listening to my coaches and trying to come in first every race.