Carroll's strength is in the numbers

BY TAYLOR ELDRIDGE/Eagle correspondent

Published March 21 at 1:25 a.m. | Last updated March 21 at 12:10 a.m.

In preparing to set his lineup for the opening track meet, Bishop Carroll boys track coach Cory Swords spent nearly four hours in his decisions.

It wasn't because Swords was overthinking, rather that he has a record 102 boys out for the team.

Carroll opens its season Friday at the Winfield Invitational.

"Our average is usually somewhere around 70," Swords said. "So we're looking at 32 new kids out. That's a lot of new, raw talent. It takes a lot of time to figure out where those guys will be best at contributing to our team."

Some of the newcomers are unknowns, but Swords knows from cross country season what to expect from this year's group of freshmen distance runners.

James Hampton, Henry Merth and James Garcia figure to be the top three options for Swords and will likely run in the 1600- and 3200-meter races. Along with sophomore returner David Thor, the Eagles' distance running will be a strength.

"It's nice to have all of those options," Swords said. "I think all of them are going to score for us at the City meet. I just have to figure out where at. But all of those young distance guys will have a say in where we finish in league."

So will a strong returning core that the Eagles can build around. Luke Arnold (pole vault), Nathan Hampton (triple jump), Preston Moss (400) and Jerrad Maxwell (shot put) all have state experience.

But the upperclassmen's biggest contribution might not be the experience they return, but the recruiting they did in the offseason.

"We always tell them to promote track and field," Swords said. "I always tell the kids that there are components of a state title track team walking around Bishop Carroll. We have great athletes sitting around. This year's upperclassmen really took me up on that and went out and talked to their friends."

A state title is a lofty goal, but Swords likes his odds entering the season.

"I always figure if I can get five new kids out for track, than one of them will be able to contribute for us," Swords said. "Now this year with 32 extra kids, I'm hoping 5 or 6 of them will be to step up and add depth to our lineup."