Head track coach for the Nucla Mustangs Sara Bray told the Forum she was not at all surprised to have state qualifiers this year, despite the separation of Norwood and Nucla, after combining for the sport the last few years.
“Although we had a very competitive team when we were combined, I knew I still had great competitors with Nucla alone,” she said.
The Forum asked if it were true that every person she took to state won a podium finish.
“That's true,” she said. “We took six athletes and came home with nine medals. Drake Long medaled in the high jump and the 110-meter hurdles, Austin Garvey medaled in the high jump and the 4x100-meter relay, Cole Bray medaled in the long jump and the 4x100-meter relay, Eden Saxton medaled in the high jump, and Jared Fortune and Daniel Zunich medaled in the 4x100-meter relay.”
Some of the highlights of the state track meet this year included watching Long, as a senior, take home medals for the third straight year in a row, in what Bray said was a “great way to wrap up his three-year track career.”
And, she’s pleased that five out of the six athletes she took to the state track meet are returning next year. Saxton and Fortune are just freshman, and Garvey, Bray and Zunich will be seniors next year.
"And, of course, getting to coach my own son in his first individual state event, long jump, and watch him get fifth in the state,” she said. “That was a big highlight for me.”
It all took place at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood, and all divisions, 1A to 5A, competed all weekend, a great experience, according to her.
“It's pretty fantastic to watch athletes from all divisions,” Bray said.
Additionally, parent support was at a high for Nucla track. Every one of the Mustang athletes had parents show up to the state meet, and Bray said that was “awesome.”
And, the kids learned a lot.
“I had the best group of athletes,” she said. “It was the first time for a couple of them, and I always love that, because students have to see state to really get the itch for competing in it. Until athletes experience it, they don't really understand what they're shooting for all season. Then, once they experience it, athletes have a huge desire to return. It's always fun to watch that transition as a coach.”
It’s true that Bray will pass the baton this year to her assistant. She leaves with gratitude and on a high note.
“I'd like to say thank you to the community for their support of our track athletes and the program,” she said. “I'd also like to thank all the athletes I got to coach over these last six years. Each one taught me more as a coach, and I've truly loved every moment of it. Finally, I'm so excited to see what Coach Rachel (McNeil) will bring to the team next year. She is equally passionate about this sport, and I'm looking forward to cheering them all on next year as a mom in the stands.”
