As all winter sports are coming to an end, it is time for spring sports, especially spring track. For the past decade, Caldwell’s spring track team has been undefeated in dual meets, an extraordinary achievement. Last year, they were able to win the Conference Championship in which they are trying to defend their title again this year.

Jason Collura and Matthew Soder are the leading runners on the team, with Collura specializing in the 400 and Soder in the 800. Collura’s time last year in the 400 was 49.58 seconds, helping him qualify for the Meet of Champions and place 9th. Soder ran his 800 in 2 minutes and 3 seconds which was good enough to qualify for the Group Championships. These two will look to improve on their times and try their hardest for our school.

 Another name we can’t forget is Joe Giannetta. He ran the 400 last year in 52.59 seconds and was a great leg in the 4×400 Meter Relay for the team. Keaton Ryder and Kenneth Yu were some of the best throwers on the team. Ryder was able to throw 132-10 in the discus last year and Yu was able to throw 47-6.5 in the shotput and 116-9 in the javelin. 

Matthew Soder is expecting big things for this Caldwell Track team: “I am really looking forward to my final track season. The team had a great winter season: a lot of athletes had breakout performances, and I expect the same to happen this spring. This season, I plan to approach my training differently by running high mileage early in the season to build a strong base for my 800m race.” Soder wants to break records and set new goals for himself as he enters into his final season.

Jason Collura also expects himself to set some career goals as the season progresses, “I am hoping to have my senior year my best year, breaking records and personal goals I’ve set my eyes on for a while. I am going to add plyometrics, agility, and lifting workouts to my schedule for injury prevention and to strengthen myself. I think we have a chance of winning the Conference Tournament again and hopefully have a lot of my teammates qualify for states later in the season.” We wish Collura a great season and hopefully he breaks those goals he set himself.

Coach Joe Collura, who is going into his 31st year as head coach, also sees a big future for this track team as the season goes on, “In the winter, we saw some of the younger guys, sophomores, step up and begin to fill varsity sports. I’m excited to see them continue to improve as we head into the spring season. Also, we have a strong number of returning seniors who have all accomplished a lot the last few years. So, I am lucky to be coaching such a strong team. Last spring was a historically strong team. I’m hoping we can continue to have some of that success this year. I’m also looking forward to working with the new athletes who are joining us this spring. For our preparation, I don’t think much change is needed.. Our preparation in the past has been good for the championship meets. Our county championship meet is quite competitive and a chance to compete against some of the best athletes in the state. That experience more than prepares us for the Sectional Championship meet that follows.” Coach Collura believes this group has what it takes to battle through adversity and win some competitive meets for Caldwell.

As spring sports start on March 14th, we wish to see the boys track team exceed all expectations for themselves and for the school as well.