FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — The Fort Fairfield varsity track and field team has been very successful over the past several years. The team’s athletes have consistently qualified for the state championships, with last year being no exception.
Seven athletes who return from last year qualified for events at the state meet, and each of them is hoping to improve on their positions this year.
First-year coach Michelle Czosnek is excited to have a talented group of athletes to work with this spring.
“Things are going very well,” she said. “We had a very successful first meet. Our returning athletes are taking leadership roles and helping their teammates and it will make us better.”
Perhaps the most noticeable thing about Czosnek’s squad is the versatility of her athletes. Nearly all are competing in a variety of activities to include both track and field events.
Senior sprinter Gregory Jellison returns having competed in two relays and the 100 meter dash at the state meet a year ago. Colin Goshorn, who placed fourth in the pole vault and fifth in 110 meter hurdles while also qualifying in the 300 meter hurdles and on a relay team, and Jaydyn Fox, a state qualifier in hurdles, long jump, triple jump and a relay, are the top junior returnees. Goshorn will be a high seed in his events at states this year, particularly pole vault, and Czosnek said he has a legitimate shot at a state title.
A strong sophomore class features Jonah Daigle, who was third in 110 hurdles, fifth in 300 hurdles, sixth in long jump and part of the short relay team that placed in the state meet a year ago. He also won the Emery Plourde Awards as the top scorer in the Aroostook League championships. Daigle is having a tremendous spring, according to Czosnek, and will be a favorite to capture state titles in a number of his events.
Dixie Grady, Angelina Campos and Amanda Halsey, all of whom were point scorers on state relays last year as well, are sophomores on the girls’ team.
The Tigers feature a number of other athletes as well who are working hard and could find themselves in the mix of state qualifying.
That group includes Annicka Benson in the 200, 400, discus and relay; Emma Campbell in the 100, 200 and relay; Bailee Mallett in the discus, shot put and javelin; Mackenzie MacDougal in the discus, shot put and javelin; Solomon Daigle in the 200 dash, shot put and relays, Tyler Emerson in the javelin, discus, shot put, and 1,600 meter run; Austin Cote in the 100, 400, discus and shot put; Jason Bernaiche in the 100, shot put, discus, pole vault and relays; Wyatt Keegan in the high jump, long jump, 100 and pole vault; Adrian Dunham in the long jump and 100 and Jackson Martin in the high jump, 110 hurdles and long jump.
Czosnek said her goal as a first-year coach is very clear.
“My goal is to help the athletes achieve their best performances, whether it be personal records, school records or state meet appearances,” she said.
She noted that it has been very positive so far.
“There are a few athletes that are very close to breaking records this year and I would like to see that happen for each of them,” Czosnek said. “There is a lot of talent on this team and they are very determined to be successful.”
