Despite the snow and cold weather recently, the Northampton track and field team looks to be in good shape as spring athletes are finally starting to take to the courts and fields.

The Kids return a host of track team members who competed at districts last year. The hope is to get those kids back, and more, and also advance some to states.

“We hope to have a winning record on both the boys and girls teams this season as well as to qualify as many athletes as possible for the EPC and District 11 championship meets,” said assistant coach Dan Benner. “We are off to a good start after many of our athletes trained during the winter season and went to several meets to get ready for the outdoor season.”

As was reported in the Press, there were some team records broken during the winter and indoor track seasons and the hope is that continues right through outdoor season.

Lyndsey Gallagher posted as 2:31 in the 800 and a 5:26 in the 1600. Jared Jackson had a 54 time in the 400 and a 2:05 in the 800. The 3200 and DMR relay teams also broke records and both teams were made up of Gallagher, Beth Albright, Lauren Pague and Magen Perelli.

Last year, the girls finished 6-5 and the boys went 3-8. While the teams would like to see more wins overall, the ultimate goal is the district and state meets.

Last year the Kids had 10 girls and three boys at districts. For the girls, Tyleen Lopez (200), Hannah Flaven (400), Olivia Daniels (400), Tatiana Lopez (100 hurdles), Alexis Barrall (pole vault), Aja Blount (discus) and Gallagher, Albright, Perelli and Pague in the 3200 relay.

For the boys, Morgan Heffelfinger qualified in the 100, 200 and long jump while Isaac N’Jenga took part in the 3200 and Jovani Datis-Cordero in the 300 hurdles.

Blount made it to states after winning the district title and placed seventh in the discus.

The team missed three days of practice following the snowstorm of March 14. Fortunately, the snow melted fairly quickly and the hard work of some team members saw them shovel off lanes one and two, according to Benner.

“So, we were still able to be somewhat productive,” Benner said. “Plus, we are lucky that we have great facilities and have been able to be indoors some in the middle school gym to still practice and get done what we need to get done.”

Unlike past years, before the new facilities, the Kids will have five home meets with the first scheduled for Wednesday, March 29, against Bethlehem Catholic. The team will have three away meets and take part in two invitationals - the Zephyr Relays on April 1 and the Allen Invitational on April 21.

The District 11 championships are scheduled for May 16-17 at Blue Mountain.