After a regional championship and a state runner-up finish that included a state champion 800-relay team (Ahmad Johnson, Rondale Moore, David Spalding and Alex Wilson), the track Rocks are aiming for even more success this year.   The loss at state to Male was by only six points.

Head coach Scott Holzknecht commented on the tough end to last year’s season:  “It’s just like all of life. It’s very rewarding, frustrating, joyful, sad. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s great.”

So far this season the team has recorded a second in the Oldham County Kickoff and a first in the All-Comers Meet at St. Xavier.

Holzknecht, also head coach of the cross country team, was named CC Coach of the Year by the Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Association in December.  The CC Rocks placed second at state last fall and in 2016.

The track Rocks’ goal is not complicated: win state.

“We want that ring!” junior Richard Gregor, a hurdler, declared.

Gregor is eager to demonstrate the skill he has developed. He said, “I have been working with coach (John Ellington) for the past two years so I’m somewhat better – I have good form now.”

In all the events, individual performances improve with team encouragement.

“Everybody pushes everybody,” senior Jacob Burnam said.

Junior Khumbo Phiri feels the team electricity, knowing that after a race no matter how he finishes, he’ll be welcomed back into the huddle with high fives and “Good jobs.”

Gallery • 10 Photos

photo by Jahvid Nawab