By Steve Carpenter
Blue Dragon Sports Information Director

Starting his fourth season as the head coach of the Hutchinson Community College track and field program, Robert Spies is finally had a normal feeling heading into a season – which for the Blue Dragons opens Saturday at the Washburn Rust Buster Classic.

"It's feeling a lot more normal without all the Covid protocol and trying to roll out (national track) in 2 of the 3 years," Spies said. "I'm feeling a lot more relaxed not having to do some of those things."

For the Blue Dragon women's track team, Spies brings back the most returning athletes in his four seasons with nine returning and 15 new athletes.

"We are going to be much-improved on the women's side," Spies said. "We have some returners who are getting better in terms of technique. We have a bench of new athletes who are going to contribute in the distance events. We have some strong mid-distance runners who are going to help out on our relays. We could be really solid in our relays."

The only returning All-Americans for the Blue Dragons in 2023 are pole vaulters Violet Martinez and Kiana Brown, both who are third-year sophomores. Martinez is a three-time All-Americans in the event and Brown is a two-time All-Americans. Neither will be available for the indoor season. Both athletes will be eligible for the outdoor season starting in March.

Still, Spies is excited about his other returning athletes and the potential they all have to become national qualifiers this season.

Third-year sophomore Lushous Davis (Aurora, CO) has already reached national qualifying standards in the weight throws in practice this season. Her indoor best in the weight throw is 44 feet, 5.25 inches set last season.

"She continues to conquer that event," Spies said. "She's looks really good. She's hit the qualifying mark in practice. Now we have to take that calm, collective demeanor in practice and apply that to a meet."

Sprinter/hurdler Keneah Romney (Sandy Point, St. Kitts) returns this season after a bunch of close qualifying calls in her freshman year. Romney's best indoor times last season were 26.58 in the 200 meters, 1:00.25 in the 400 meters and 1:43.16 in the 600 meters. Romney was also a staple on several Blue Dragon relays last season.

Sprinter Ashliona Martin (Tampa, FL) returns as well. Martin's best 60-meter time in 2022 was 8.04 seconds. Her top indoor 200 time was 27.98 seconds.

Where the 2023 Blue Dragons carry great potential is in the middle distance and distance events, where members of the Blue Dragon women's cross country team fill spots after a national fourth-place finish last fall.

Cross Country all-American Serenity Larson (Dodge City) and freshmen Taylor Hoskinson (Haven) and Gracie Lambert (Lindsborg) headline that group entering the 2023 indoor season.

"That group is going to contribute on our DMR (Distance Medley Relay). Middle distance kids Taylor and Gracie will be on the 4x400 relay as well as freshman Kaylee James (Jetmore). We have some really good potential and they have the ability to place high this season."

Without Martinez and Brown in the pole vault for the indoor season, freshman Alivia Noll (Scott City) comes in already breaking the 10-foot mark in high school.

Some other freshman to keep an eye on are:

+ Freshman Madelyn Hernandez (Goddard), who competes in the hurdles, jumps and sprints. She has cleared 5-5 in the high jump in practice.

+ James was a high school state champion in the 100 and 100 hurdles.

"We are going to be a much-improved team this year because of the event areas that we can cover," Spies said. "We are trying to develop a balanced program at Hutchinson."