HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD: HAWKS HAVE BIG EXPECTATIONS AS THEY PREPARE TO OPEN THE SEASON (2023-03-27)

Southern Tier Sports Report
Last year was a special one for Corning outdoor track and field.

There were multiple state champions and state medalists, as the team was dominant in dual meets an invitationals all year long.

This year the Hawks hope for some of the same success as they kick off their season today with a strong group of athletes returning.

CORNING HAWKS TRACK AND FIELD
Coaches name: Joe Melanson
Assistants: Ray Lawson, Tom Ketchum, Kale Wilcox, Adam Sarafin (Volunteer Pole Vault)
Record last year: Boys and Girls Sectional Champions
Returning athletes: Ashton Bange, Tevin McClaren, Gabe Cornfield, Gyasi Ruffin, Zuri Ruffin, Sara Lawson, Cabe Hogue
Comments on returning athletes. Ashton should be one of the top Milers in the state. Gyasi is coming off from indoor where he won the state title in the 600m. Gabe Cornfield and Tevin are coming off a great indoor season where they qualified in the 1000m. Sarah is coming off a strong finish with an all american in the 5k at Nationals. Zuri was the sections top long jumper from the winter season. Cabe Hogue was one of the top weight throwers in the state from indoor. He's hoping to carry that over to shot and disc in outdoor.
Newcomers:  Cella McLaughlin made nationals in the freshman long jump indoor. Emma Mase was a qualifier in the middle school 60m from indoor nationals. Charlie Warner and Wyatt Mcdonald are coming off from really strong indoor seasons where Charlie was one of the top freshman in the 600m and Wyatt was one of the top freshman in the 300m. Sabastian Boutwell was one of the top freshman in the mile from indoor.

Thoughts on the team this year: We should have a pretty strong team hoping some newcomers step in and help us win another guys and girls STAC championship.

Thoughts on the league this year: Section 4 is getting stronger this year and looking harder to win. We're hoping to put up some good times up and compete with some quality competition in our section this year. As always the goal is to win STAC and take as many athletes as we can to compete at states...bringing home as much hardware as we can.
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The Hawks run through practice earlier this spring. . . STSR FILE PHOTO.