Lakeland track and field ready to roll
Published 10:19 pm Friday, December 6, 2019
The Lakeland track and field team is anticipating another strong indoor season.
The indoor season of track is under way, and the Cavs have high hopes for the season. Over the past four seasons of indoor, the Cavs have been successful at both the region and state level. As a team, the boys have finished first or second in the region the last few seasons and have gone on to have strong performances in the state meet as well. Coach Brian Rountree continues to see the Cavs being highly competitive this season once again.
“We have some good things going,” Rountree said. “On both the girls’ and boys’ side, we have some hard workers and some talented kids we think can do some good things for us. We want to make sure we remain healthy throughout the season so when it’s time to go full throttle we can be ready for that.”
On the boys’ side, the Cavs return Teshun Pierre. Pierre will be key in whatever the Cavs hope to accomplish this season. He does multiple events for the Cavs, including hurdles, long and triple jump, where most of his success has come in the field events. Injuries over the course of the season hampered Pierre a bit, but Rountree believes if he can stay healthy, a big season is ahead.
Jermone Benton is also expected to have a strong year as well, along with Xavier Boone and Kavonzo Beamon.
“Its going to be interesting this season,” Rountree said. “We have a couple things we can switch and do different, but we have a deep team and the guys are ready to go.”
On the girls’ side, Kimari Rountree returns as a region champion from last season. Overall Lakeland has a lot of young depth on the girls’ side, that Rountree feels will eventually turn into a premier group.
Rountree believes overall, his groups on both sides are very versatile, and with the talent they have this season, they are looking forward to remaining competitive in the region and then doing some good things at the state meet before heading into outdoor season.
“We just want to stay healthy,” Rountree said. “If we can do that, this can be a special year. We are going to continue to develop and continue to build and keep working.”