After Hazelwood Central won its second consecutive Class 4 state track & field team championship a few weeks ago, the Hawks who will be back next year immediately started thinking ahead to 2012.
That's because they'll be attempting to make it three straight next spring.
Senior-to-be Marc Franks, who won three medals at state in late May, is a glass is more than half full kind of guy. He thinks the Hawks can be at the top of the podium next May, too.
"There's no doubt in my mind we can get it again next year," he said.
Hawks coach Rich Copenhaver believes the Hawks can win it as well. However, he's not as confident as Franks.
"We'll have a lot coming back," he said. "But it will depend on how hard they work. If we do what we need to do in practice we've got a shot but it's an outside shot."
The Hawks won't have standout Mike Hester, who helped Hazelwood Central score 30 of their 41 points at state, back in 2012. Franks, who was slowed by a leg injury this past season, plans to not only meet but exceed Hester's output at state.
"I have to step up," Franks said. "I have to win four events."
He thinks he can win the 200 and 400 and he plans to help the 800 and 1,600 relays win as well. Senior Sean Wills will also return to both those relays. Matt Quarrels, who excelled as a freshman, also will be back to help those relay squads and senior Cole Davis will return to the 1,600 relay as well as the 3,200 relay.
"He came along great," said Copenhaver of Quarrels. "He stepped in like he'd always been there."
Others who will be back who can give the Hawks a lift include sophomore middle distance guys Marcus Davis, Sean Conway and Brandon Chunn. Copenhaver also has big expectations for Elegance Davis (400) and sprinters Gordon Tayler, Justin Davis, Aaron Floyd and junior Kendall Preston.
"He was awesome as a freshman," said Copenhaver of Preston. "He hurt his back and never really came back. Hopefully, he'll step in and we'll be strong there."
He hopes throwers Brittan McLaughlin and Roderick Johnson, who will be sophomores next year, can break through and get the Hawks some points in the field events.
"It's five years going that we haven't scored in the field events," Copenhaver said. "We need to find some freshman kids who are fast and athletic and instead of putting them on the track just tell them they're not running. We need some field events."
Frank said he needs another state team title.
"That's the goal," he said when asked if the track team is aiming to do what the football team couldn't quite pull off. "We don't want to get to state and not win it."
