The562’s cross country and track & field coverage is sponsored by an anonymous donation, in appreciation of Coach Ron Allice.
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
In most other leagues, Lakewood would have been the story of last year’s girls’ track season. The Lancers had a great young group of sprinters who made it all the way to the CIF State meet, taking fourth in the 4x100m relay.
However, Lakewood was stuck in the shadow of two elite programs, as Moore League rivals Wilson and Poly took home the team gold and silver at the CIF-SS championships.
The Lancers won’t have the overall depth of those teams in 2024, but Lakewood does have some talented returners, led by senior Jai’ya Jones and junior Amaya Rice, who will be right up there with some of the state’s best.
“It’s a little bit frustrating sometimes, but now that we’ve actually made a dent, there’s no way I’d want to change it,” said Lakewood head coach Mike Wixted of the competition in the Moore League. “Now that our girls in particular feel like we belong here, that sets the standard for next year and the year after, so there’s no sense backing down. It’s only going to sharpen you for the state meet and everything else … I think even though we don’t love our rivals, I do think they take pride in the fact that we’re in this really strong league.”
Jones is the defending Moore League champion in the 100m, running a time of 12.05 at last year’s league finals. Rice was third in that race, and the duo also performed well in the 200, with Jones placing second and Rice taking fourth.
Moving onto CIF and State, Jones ran a 12-flat in the 100 to take third in CIF, and made it all the way to State prelims in that event. She also took fifth in the 200 at CIF, setting her up for an exciting senior season. She’ll be looking to go back-to-back in the 100m at Moore League and get back to State in that event.
Going into her junior season, Rice has made tremendous strides and she’s expected to be a factor again in the sprints. Her specialty should be the 200, but Coach Wixted also wants to see her run the 400 this season, where he believes she can have a lot of success and pique the interest of college coaches.
“I’m lowkey wicked excited about what Amaya Rice is going to do as a junior,” said her coach. “A couple coaches know, but the world in general doesn’t know what she’s going to be capable of.”
Wixted has also supplemented his coaching staff with a few new assistants who will specialize in the sprints, allowing for more hands-on instruction during practice. He’s hopeful that will translate into individual success, and success in both the 4×100 and the 4×400 relays this year.
Juniors Naleyah Davis and Aniya Milton were both part of the 4×100 at the end of last season, bringing back some valuable experience. Milton is also expected to compete in the hurdles and the high jump this season.
Senior Caleeya Jackson will be a key contributor in the 1600 and possibly the 800, bringing over her cross country experience. She’ll be joined by junior Nikie Costa in the mile and two-mile races.
While Lakewood might not have the same number of athletes as their top competitors, the Lancers do have some exciting top-end talent. And the expectations have been set for Lakewood to be competing all the way through to the end of the 2024 track season.
“We’re gonna peak at the right time,” Wexted said. “I don’t want us to be heroes in February and March, I want us to make the impression in April and May.”
