High school track: Riverton looks to stay on top
Aiello leads 'Wolves in quest for 3rd straight title
Aiello's work isn't simply about adding strength and muscle to her frame or honing her throwing techniques for the shot put and discus. Just like dozens of other athletes on the Silverwolves' girls track team, she is doing whatever she can to make a third straight region title a reality.
"It's just like a wrestler: When you win the belt, you don't want to give it up," Aiello said. "When you win region, you don't want anybody to take that from you."
Holding supremacy over Region 3 for another spring will be tougher than ever.
Riverton faces an array of challenges in its quest for a championship trilogy. The Silverwolves graduated several seniors from last year's team. If that wasn't enough, the injury bug further impacted Riverton's depth early on.
"They're all fierce competitors, so they kind of get through it, but they're all dealing with things," coach Brent Hawkins said. "You got some veterans who haven't been able to do a ton this year because they're just hurt."
She competed in high jump only in the ASICS Invitational and won the event with a jump of 5 feet 2 inches. Campbell followed up with a 5 foot 4 jump for a second place finish at the UHSTCA Invitational.
Last weekend, she won the open long jump at the Davis Invitational with a jump of 15 feet and 11 inches.
"She's a competitor," Hawkins said. "She's really tough."
One positive factor stemming from the rash of injuries is how it has allowed some younger athletes a chance to develop in various events.
Dani Lockhart, a junior who normally competes in discus and shot, has shown promise in the high jump. Jessica Lingwall, a sophomore, is coming on strong in the hurdles. Alle Finch, another junior, stepped up with contributions in the 400 meters and several relay teams.
It only adds to Riverton's depth, making a third consecutive region title feel more attainable and it takes some pressure away in individual events.
"If you run a bad race one day, you're not going to be the one to make the team lose," Finch said.
One area likely strongest for the Riverton girls are throwing events. Aiello has been in dominant form so far this spring. She swept the shot and the discus at the UHSTCA Invitational — winning the shot with a distance of 40 feet and 8 inches and the discus with a mark of 119 feet and 9 1/2 inches.
Aiello followed with first place finishes in both events at the Taylorsville Invitational a week later. At the Davis Invitational, she could not overtake Bountiful's Nicole Knighton in the shot but still won the discus with a mark of 136 feet and 8 inches.
Success for the Silverwolves as a whole is a personal matter for Aiello. She wants to be at the top of her game to keep Riverton on top as well.<
"It's an individual sport because you're always going against your own marks," Aiello said. "But you always got to think about the points that you're getting for the team, because you don't want the team to lose either.
E-mail: jcoon@desnews.com
Recent comments
good luck silverwolves!!!go hawkins, coach B, nicholsen,take region...
parent | May 1, 2008 at 8:49 p.m.
GO Caudus!! You can do it!!! We love you and are so very proud of...
Uncle Carol | May 1, 2008 at 7:53 p.m.
Heavens if you take the best from all the other teams in the region...
Fan | May 1, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.
