Bainbridge boys and girls track and field is preparing for their upcoming 2017 season hoping to improve on the success they had last season. With multiple athletes that competed at last years state championships returning, there is plenty of leadership and experience that will help groom the young talent that the Bearcats have this year.

The girls team is set to surprise a lot of people this year, according to head coach Larry Cosby. They have more spread out talent this year than in prior years, allowing them to compete in more field events. That being said, they still look strongest on the track with runner’s comings back from last year.

“We’ve got girls that have been here since they were freshmen,” said coach Cosby. “They understand the process. They know how the meet goes. When you have girls that are experienced and showing the younger ones how to do it, it normally turns out good.”

Tyra Jackson, one of the younger girls to watch, is a sophomore who has been looking impressive in preseason practices according to coach Cosby.

On the boy’s team, some new athletes bring a lot to the table talent wise that could help the Bearcats down the road. An addition to the long jumping crew and an addition to the 400-meter team round out the Bearcats.

Also, young talent from Robert Freeman and TJ Mims bring more to the table in the 100, 200, and 4X4 races that have been a big surprise according to coach Cosby.

“Our overall goal this year is we want to try to win the region,” said coach Cosby. “We were in such a strong region last year, so we’re hoping we can at least try to attempt to finish first or second in region and see how many guys we can qualify for sectionals.”

According to coach Cosby, the boys are looking the strongest in the hurdles at this point in the preseason. They have a returning senior who has been to state three times for hurdles, and plans to go back for his fourth.

The teams to look out for this year are Warner Robins and Thomas County Central, says coach Cosby.

Bainbridge’s first track meet is this Saturday, Feb. 27. Bainbridge will travel to Tallahassee to take part in the Jesse Forbes Invitational.