Gonzalez Ready For Big Spring With Red’Dogs

SPRINGDALE — For Springdale High’s Gabe Gonzalez, the moment of truth starts now.

Gonzalez, who’s had an illustrious three-year cross country and track career at Springdale, enters his last spring with the Red’Dogs in the hopes of bettering his times in each of his events.

Last November, the longdistance runner won his second straight individual state title at the Class 7A State Cross Country Championships in Rogers. Earlier this month, Gonzalez continued his success by winning the 1600- and 3200-meter runs at the Class 5A-7A State Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville.

Springdale boys track and field coach Seneca Lassiter said he’s hopeful Gonzalez will have a successful outdoor season, which could result in him getting several scholarship offers from Division I programs.

“This is his chance, this is the time for him to not leave anything behind,” Lassiter said. “Last year it was all about winning races, but this spring it’s all about getting fast times.”

Lassiter said Gonzalez’s biggest goal this spring will be keeping pace with himself from the start of races instead of relying on a last-lap kick to get good times.

Gonzalez has already started reaping the benefits of his success as he’s beenoffered scholarships from three in-state schools, including the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. He’s also planning to take a visit to Iowa State in two weeks, Lassiter said.

Besides Gonzalez, Lassiter said he’s hopeful for good results from the rest of his young and inexperienced team.

Senior Dusty Smith, who finished fourth in the 400 at the state indoor meet, will compete in the 800 this spring. Demetrius Monaco will also compete in long jump and high jump for the Red’Dogs, Lassiter said.

“We’ve got a young group and there’s going to be a lot of learning going on this year,” Lassiter said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who are inexperienced and haven’t done much before, so we’re hoping they can improve andscore points.”

Springdale girls track and field coach Moe Henry said the Lady Red’Dogs are primed to make improvements this season, especially with sophomores Jasmine Myrick and Alicia Reyna running longdistance events and newcomer Erica Ramsey running sprints. Senior Tiffany Wiseley will also return to throw the shot put and discus.

Henry said the biggest disadvantage for the girls track team is the lack of experience and numbers, something he and other coaches are continually trying to improve.

“We’ve got a lot of kids who’ve never done track before, so it’s a learning process for several of our girls,” Henry said. “But the potential is always there for some of them to really improve and have great seasons.”