Valley Christian Hopes For High Finish In Track Boys Are Returning Strong While Girls Rebuilding

Sat., April 15, 1995

Ward Sanderson Correspondent

Valley Christian School’s Panthers are ready to hit the track - with a renewed sense of purpose.

Coach Brent Harken said his boys team is coming back complete with no losses from last year; his girls squad boasts a host of young talent.

Last year, the VC boys finished sixth at the District 7 championship; the girls finished fourth. Despite the placing, Harken said, the team was in the hunt nonetheless.

“Our boys were just 12 points out of first,” he said. “It was close.”

This time, Harken said both teams have the ability to finish second at the district meet.

“We’ll be a lot stronger than before,” he said. “We had about 38 kids turn out.”

Seniors returning to the boys squad include Travis Harken, who placed second in the state B championships last year in the high jump, and distance runner Phillip Spuler. Juniors include Matt Wright in the long jump and sprints; Aaron Asbury, hurdles and triple jump; and 800-meter runner Mike Dahl, who just missed a chance at competing at the state level last year.

Sophomores returning are 20-foot long jumper Jeremy Hayek and distance runner Jason Schlafmann.

Chad Meyer is a talented freshman with promise in the 800 meter.

With no seniors on the team, the Panther girls are led by Danielle Swift, a junior thrower who went to state last year. Joining her is a new face in junior sprinter Michelle Knigge.

Sophomores returning are Carmen Evans, who competed in the hurdles and relays last year at state, and Teresa Dixon, a long jumper and sprinter.

Other juniors include Tiffany Ferderer, a junior transfer competing in relays, discus and javelin, and Joy Hopson in the throwing events.

The freshman trio of sprinter-long jumpers are Khiree Harken, Laura McKibbon and Dana Thompson. Melissa Minnihan joins the team as a talented thrower.

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