Girls' Track Preview: Triton Graduate Building Up Highland

Joell Whitley knows all about overcoming adversity. During her high school and college years, Whitely suffered through knee problems – enduring six surgeries over her track career. But she kept running, jumping and throwing, determined not to let the setbacks stand in her way.

It is that tenacity that Whitely hopes to bring to the Highland girls’ track program as she takes over as head coach for the first time in her career.

“For me it’s more of a mental determination and perseverance that I want to bring to the program,” said Whitley. “I had six knee surgeries, tore my ACL three times and still competed all the way through college. That whole idea of not giving up and not letting setbacks end your season is one thing I want to really instill in these girls. They are so used to being letdown and being disappointed. I just want them to see that it doesn’t have to be the end for you, with whatever situation you are dealing with.”

Whitley – a 2004 Triton graduate – attended Wheaton College, in Massachusetts on a scholarship and competed for four years. After
graduating in 2008, she served as an assistant coach with the Tartans for three years. She said she is enjoying her new role and that her transition into the full-time position has been a smooth one.

The next step is getting her athletes to believe in themselves.

“I want to instill hard work and that you can surprise yourself,” Whitely said. “They will be surprised with what they can do.”

Meanwhile, at Triton the goal is to put together a winning season. The Mustangs are led by returning Meet of Champions participant Deja Bullock and Brook Whitmire (sr.), who competed in the indoor Meet of Champions this winter in the pole vault. The team also has some fresh faces that head coach Jeff Logandro thinks can emerge as real talents.

“We have been spending a lot of time mixing and matching some of the kids in the events and there has been a lot of learning going on,” Logandro said. “People are starting to fall in place and some girls are starting to standout.”

At Timber Creek, first-year head coach Jamal White takes over a team that placed third at last year’s Group III Sectionals. Byanna Williams, Alicia Terrell, Arynn Crawley and Sierra Jordan return as state qualifiers a year ago and the team has added some valuable depth. It should be another big season for the Chargers.

Below is a look at how the local girls’ track teams stack up.

Highland

Coach: Joell Whitley

Last year: 0-5

Key athletes: Niaja Fields (sr.) Chrisi Bush (sr.) distance; Jessica Simber (sr.) distance; Leah Johnson; sprinter, jumper; Naomi Jones (jr.) 200, 400, high jump; Alana Swinton (fr.) thrower.

Team to beat: Kingsway.

Outlook: Steady improvement is the goal of the Tartans. First-year head coach is hoping to build a winning atmosphere in the program and is hopeful her team will continue to progress throughout the season and eventually break through into the win column.

Timber Creek

Coach: Jamal White.

Last year: 4-1

Key athletes: Byanna Williams (sr.) 100, long jump, triple jump; Alicia Terrell (jr.) high jump, hurdles; Aarynn Crawley (so.) high jump, triple jump, long jump; Sierra Jordan (jr.) thrower;

Team to beat: Winslow

Outlook: The Chargers are loaded with talent and should once again be in the mix for a division title and Group 3 crown. Led by a quarter of state-qualifiers, the Chargers should show well in weekend meets as well as duals. 

Triton

Coach: Jeff Logandro

Last year: 2-3

Key athletes: Deja Bullock (jr.) high jump; Meet of Champions high jump; Alyssa Cziryak (sr.) 1600, 3200; Melanie Derham (jr.); 800, 1600;
Lauren Jeannette (so.) hurdles; Brittany MacRae (sr.) javelin, pole vault;
Samantha Funk (jr.) javelin; Brook Whitmire (sr.) pole vault.

Team to beat: Winslow, Shawnee.

Outlook: After years of floating around the .500 mark the Mustangs are hoping to break through and produce a winning season. Led by Bullock and Whitmire, the Mustangs should also produce some great individual performances.