Dylan Seagraves gets plenty of air during a long jump attempt Wednesday. Tiftarea hosted several schools for the start of a whirlwind track schedule.

TIFTON — Tiftarea Academy took its first steps of a jam-packed track season Wednesday with a big home meet.

The meet was the first of the regular season. All other action will be crammed into six weeks, which concludes with the state meet in Albany April 26-28.

“We have a fast schedule,” said Tiftarea head coach David Dark.

Dark said Wednesday’s meet would serve as a good introduction to the season. The spring sports season is still new in Chula and Dark’s roster is still increasing as coaches were “still letting some folks trickle in.”

Dark said the meet served as a bit of a warm-up session. Rules were slightly relaxed and middle school and high school athletes competed at the same time. The goal, of course, is to be ready for the region and state meets.

The Panthers’ roster seems to consist of two groups: “some usual suspects” and “some young folks.”

Among the usual suspects are Spence Massey, Dallas Hunt, Maddie Harper, Marlee Marlowe, Sara Beth Royal, Adylein Hunt and Reese Speight.

Marlowe is the reigning GISA Class AAA state 100 hurdles champion and placed sixth in the same event in 2016. Dark said Harper, a distance runner, has “changed a bit of her stride” and is getting even better times. Adylein Hunt has improved, too. “She is returning stronger and faster,” he said.

Speight is the lone senior for the boys. Dark said he is “a real leader.”

Royal, he said, was an all-around athlete, capable of competing in hurdles, the 100 and 400 with equal success.

Jackson Hoover and Chris Hale are also among Tiftarea’s vets. Both throw the shot and discus. Massey was also in those events Wednesday. Dark said the squad was fortunate to have a coach for those specific areas this year: Seth Wheeler.

Hunt and Nate Fortson are involved with distance events.

Dark labeled Fortson, a junior, as “one to watch.”

Newcomers to the team include Jaden Jones and Colby Grant.

Like all other sports at Tiftarea, the track team shares athletes. Several baseball players took time out of their practice to compete Wednesday. Dark said he was fortunate to have all of the school’s coaches on the same page.

Athletic director Tim Hathcock is assisting with the teams, along with Cindy Harbort, Jimbo Hale and Sarge Dorsey. A stalwart of all Tiftarea sports, but especially track, Dorsey, said Dark, “is the most important asset out there.”

“He has a heart for the kids,” said Dark. “I wish we had 50 Sarges.”

The Panthers will host another meet next Wednesday, with Citizens Christian Academy and Terrell Academy penciled in as coming. Next Friday, Tiftarea will be part of a big track and field happening at Fitzgerald, one that pits them against several public schools.

The annual Prince Relays will be March 21 at Tiftarea. Dark said it was the seventh year of collaboration between Prince Automotive Group and Tiftarea for the event. It is already shaping up to be a big meet, with six schools already signed up.