Last modified: Thursday, March 13, 2008 1:43 PM PDT

Nyssa hosts Ice Breaker track meet

Argus Observer Sports Staff

NYSSA — Nyssa High School hosted the Ice Breaker track and field event Tuesday.

The event — a warm-up of sorts for area schools — is a way to ease into the new season. There are no team scores.

  “It’s about new kids trying new events,” Ontario track coach Jeff Church said. “Really, the biggest thing was that we got lucky with the weather. Middle March is usually cold, but it was nice, and that contributed to a lot of kids doing well.”

 Church said the future looks bright for his team after losing many seniors last year.

“A lot of young kids came out and did good. We knew we had to get some new kids and it’s been fun watching that happen,” Church said.

  Among other talented kids, Matt Rankin and Matt Anthony look to do well this year.

  “Matt Anthony ran faster 100 and 200 meters than he did all last year, his 200 meter was 8/100 off the school record,” Church said.  “He went in thinking he wasn’t going to run very hard because he just came off wrestling and so he hasn’t been super active since wrestling, but he came out and had a heck of a day. Matt Rankin wasn’t really challenged by a lot of people, and he has been working hard during the off season.”