Ranger track team has a full roster, high expectations

The 2026 track season is set to begin with the first meet scheduled for Thursday in Newcastle, Wyo. With around 50 student athletes participating, including 14 seniors, the team is carrying a full roster and high expectations into the season. 

“We’re doing a good job of getting kids to go out and be involved,” said head coach Joe Noyes. “That’s always reassuring as a coach. Our numbers are a good indicator of a good team and good involvement.”

Noyes believes both the girls and boys teams are capable of placing at the state meet in May.

“The boys are good enough to probably contend for a state title,” said Noyes, adding, “The girls should at least medal.”

“I’ve never had a girls team place in my 13 years as a coach,” he said. “That would be a really big deal.”

Though track is mostly an individual sport, Noyes said for his team, it’s about being selfless. Athletes are moved around wherever they can best help the team, even if that means sacrificing individually. 

“You could place individually, but you also might really help our relay. So you’re going to give up this individual event to be in a relay so that the relay can place higher,” he said. “And that’s just that selfless for the team attitude.” 

He added, “For a school our size, winning a state title, or even the girls bringing home a trophy, is such a big deal. You have to fill 18 different events at the state meet and try to score points, and it’s a real challenge to do that. It’s fun when you’ve got the group of kids who can do it. It should be a good season.”