Filling the Lanes: Ste. Genevieve Track Battles Depth in Postseason Push

written by Gabe Dimercurio

edited by Joshua Banks

As the Ste. Genevieve track and field season rounds the final turn and heads into the home stretch, the Dragons find themselves in a classic battle of quality versus quantity.

I recently caught up with Coach Samples to discuss the team's trajectory as they move past the mid-season mark. While the atmosphere around the track is positive, the season has been defined by a lean roster that requires every athlete to punch above their weight class.

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The "Numbers Game" Challenge

For Coach Samples, the biggest hurdle hasn't been a lack of talent, but rather a lack of depth. In a sport where every event counts toward a team score, empty lanes are the enemy.

"I feel pretty good about our team," Samples noted. "But a major con is that we just don't have enough athletes to fill the spots we really need. One of our biggest challenges is the roster size; I’d like to have a spot for every event so everyone can do their part."

Looking ahead, the coach is already eyeing the future, hoping to see a surge of interest from younger athletes next season to help bridge those gaps.

Standout Performers

Despite the thin ranks, several athletes have emerged as consistent point-scorers and leaders on the field and track. According to Coach Samples, these are the competitors to watch as the postseason approaches:

Girls Standouts	Boys Standouts
Abbi M.	Paul T.
Ashlyn W.	Talon P.
Jayden M.	Max C.
Cecilia M.	Kaden M.
Laurie P.	Gavin G.

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Chasing Plaques and PRs

The goal for the remainder of the season is two-fold: individual growth and team hardware. Samples is pushing his athletes to hunt for Personal Records (PRs), but the ultimate prize remains the meet plaque—awarded only to the top two finishing teams.

Currently, the Boys' team is leading the trophy race with two plaques already in the cabinet. The Girls' team is still searching for their first top-two finish of the year, though the focus remains on steady improvement.

"My goals are to watch our team hit those PRs and hopefully bring home more plaques," Samples said.

As the Dragons prepare for their final meets, the mission is clear: make every entry count, finish strong, and set the foundation for a bigger, deeper squad next spring.