SYRACUSE - After building the Davis track and field team into a perennial 5A power, coach Roger Burhley could name only one reason for making the move to the new Syracuse High School this year.
    "I just did it for a change," he said.
    And it seems Burhley got just that.
    The Syracuse track and field team hosted its first region championship on Thursday, and the boys' and girls' teams each notched a sixth-place finish in the Region 1 meet.
    Both Davis teams continued their dominance in 5A and easily ran away with region titles. Current 3,200-meter state record-holder Natalie Haws won the 1,600 meters in a time of 5 minutes, 6 seconds, while the Davis 4x100 team continued its dominance in the event by breaking the Region 1 record in 42.37 seconds.
    Fremont's and Viewmont's boys' and girls' teams snagged second- and third-place finishes, respectively.
    While the Titans' performance was a far cry from his winning days at Davis, Burhley is excited about the future of Syracuse track and field.
    "We're going to start some traditions of our own," said Burhley. "The real struggle as been trying to sell the sport."
    But the new school has a long road ahead to catch up to its fellow 5A competitors. Syracuse's McKayla Williams, who competed in the 400 meters last year for Clearfield, is the only Titan with any state
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championship experience. What's more, in the school's first year of operation, Syracuse has no senior class.
    "We're definitely inexperienced," said Burhley. "For now, we're working on day-to-day improvement and commitment to the sport."
    Some members of the Syracuse team have already taken his words to heart.
    "[Burhley] tells us it's the little things we do each day," said 800-meter runner Vanessa Phelps. "We're all looking forward to next year. We'll be a lot better."
    Still, Burhley could not have been more happy with his team's first region title performance.
    "I've been so impressed with these young kids," said Burhley. "They work so hard. We haven't seen much success yet, but the potential is there. "
    If Burhley's track record is any indication, the Titans will be a 5A power in no time.