The Cougars have 50 boys and girls suiting up, which is about 12 more than last year and the biggest turnout in more than a decade.
“This is a really good group in the sense of challenging each other. They want to work hard,” said Sherrock, who is in her third year as coach after eight as an assistant. “Our depth is really on the boys’ side. They’re pushing each other.”
Phillips is a threat to reach the Division II state meet in three events. He set a school record in the long jump at 22 feet, 3 ½ inches and recorded a leap of 22-6 during indoor competition over the winter.
“If I stay in the 22 range, I think I can make it to state again,” he said. “But I really want to win it this year. I’m going to have to pop something over 23.”
He has a personal best of 11.1 seconds in the 100, which should get him to state this year (he ran an 11.3 in the regionals last year to fall just short), and he’s a threat in the 200 with a PR just under 23 seconds.
But Phillips is more than just a point producer. He’s also a leader on the team.
“He’s definitely one of the captains,” Sherrock said. “He’s one I don’t have to worry about. He’s going to work hard. I count on him to get the team going. If there’s anything I need, I call on him.”
McDavid, who has signed to play basketball at Wofford next year, has gone first, second and second at the state in the long jump in her three years. She had a leap of 18 feet, 1 ½ inches last year, the same as champion Elle Ruby of Wheelersburg, but she lost the tiebreaker.
“She’s looking to gain that title back,” Sherrock said.
McDavid finished fifth in the state in the 100 and has seven state medals in her career. She’s a two-time CBC girls track athlete of the year.
Wonder is the defending CBC champion in the shot and finished second in the discus. His personal bests are 49-3 and 136-2, respectively, but he’s been sidelined with an injured elbow.
“He’s a really good thrower,” Sherrock said. “He’s worked incredibly hard the last two summers putting time in on his own.
“We’re hoping he’ll recover and we can push him on to the state meet in shot and disc.”
The Cougar boys should be formidable in the distance races with returnees Ethan Holbrook, Elijah Brown, Taylor McFarland and Jacob Fisher.
Two freshmen are rising through the ranks in Carson Jones in the sprints and Dane Klosterman in the hurdles.
Senior Lilly Lacey, who was named All-CBC in soccer in the fall, is expected to fortify the girls team with her prowess in the middle distances.
“We have a big group of seniors and many new young athletes,” Sherrock said. “Our coaching staff is hoping to bring a bigger group of competitors to the regional and state meets this year.”
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