CHARLESTON — Tri-County’s boys and girls Track and Field squads began a new chapter March 3-4. In their first meet under head coach TJ Blake, the Titans trekked to Eastern Illinois University where both teams showed potential despite a low-scoring debut.

The girls began their season on March 3 with a quintet of athletes as part of the 57-team event. The Titans failed to score any points in any events but showed some glimpses of promise. 

Returning sophomore Carleigh Clifton finished in 38th place in the 60-meter dash with a time of 8.75 seconds. Meanwhile, junior Jessica Rekart took 22nd in the long jump with a leap of 13 feet, 5.5 inches and finished 38th in the 200-meters in a time of 32.52.

Senior Taylor Thorman snagged 24th place in the shot put with a throw of 26-10. In her first meet on the team, senior Camille Clifton placed 71st in the 800 meters with a time of 3:51.46. Freshman Kiera Johnson nabbed a 44th-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 12.75. The Titans rounded out the day with a 28th-place finish in the 200-meter relay. Their time was 2:04.50.

The boys took to the Lantz Fieldhouse track on March 4. The Titans competed without Greenville University commit Levi Eads, who was sidelined by an illness.

The Titans sent three athletes to the event, finishing in a tie for 36th place in the team standings with one point. The Titan’s lone point came courtesy of an eighth-place finish in the long jump from senior Brandon Kollman. His leap was an impressive 18-9 1/2.

Kollman finished 49th in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.74.  Freshman Noah Sill placed 39th in the 400-meter in 1:05.70 while sophomore Hunter Thompson was 35th in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 11.96.

The Titans return to action today, March 11, in Champaign for the Gene Armer Invitational at the U of I Armory. The start time for the event is set for 10 a.m.