Westlake Running Into Start Of 2022 Track Season
On Monday, the Westlake Lions track and field team hosted their time trials as runners set personal marks for the start of the 2022 season. Although the event was an inter-squad meet, those that were in attendance got a glimpse of some of the Westlake speedsters and although they were not cranking out personal best times, there was plenty of speed to get the fans excited about what is to come this year.
Some of the Lions top performers for the 2021 girls state championship team and boys third place team included Colleen Branch, who was the Georgia High School Association Class 6A 100M state champ and Malik Mixon, who won the GHSA 6A boys 110M and 300M hurdles state champ and 2021 Gatorade Georgia Boys Track and Field Athlete of the year.
Speaking with Westlake track coach, Jason Cage, Monday was a great day and way to get the season started. “We’re really glad we’re getting the season kicked off. We’ve been training in the fall and everybody’s looking real good,” Cage said of the Westlake runners. In addition, Cage said that it’s important that they continue to keep injuries down, and remind the runners that they’re preparing for “May”
“Our motto is, ‘train for May’, that’s when the state championship is and that’s when we’re ready to roll and get another ring,” Cage said. And as for Mixon and Branch, Cage says the two are important leaders on the team and he expects to see great things from the both of them this season. “Malik is big asset to our team,” Cage said adding that getting Mixon’s endurance up to prepare him to once again be a top hurdler in the state.
And for Branch, their focus will be speed endurance to contribute to their four by four team as well as repeating as the state 100M champion and breaking her own school record, which she set at 11.6 last season. “We’re looking for her to get another big time this year,” Cage said of Branch, who stepped out of her comfort zone and ran the 400M race on Monday, placing first in a time of 58.94.
