The Paton-Churdan high school track and field teams were introduced to the media on Thursday in Churdan. Chris Stimson is the coach of both the girls and boys and a total of 18 students are out for the sport. The breakdown is even at nine boys and nine girls for one of Iowa’s smallest high school enrollments. The Rockets have averaged between 11 and 12 students per grade in recent years.

Coach Stimson said he plans on trying kids in a lot of different events early on to get an idea of individual and team strengths. He’s hopeful of being able to put together more relays than the Rockets have been able to field in recent seasons. He added the biggest increases in numbers have been int he areas of the throws and middle distance running.

The Rockets are scheduled to open the season on Monday, March 25 in Jefferson for the Greene County High School Coed Early Bird Meet at Linduska Field.