Primed for success

Middleton boasts enough talent to win a third district title, possibly more.

By SCOTT PURKS
Published March 4, 2005

TAMPA - Two years in existence, two district track titles and only one thing to do.

"Win three district titles," Middleton coach Deon Maddox said. "(We've got to) keep it going. Can't let it die."

From the looks of the program, that shouldn't be a problem.

Not only does the 3-year-old school have one of the state's top sprinters in senior O.J. Murdock, but it has junior Jordan Pelaez, who placed sixth at state last year in the 800 meters. And there are at least four others who could place at state on their own or as part of relay teams.

"When you look at the possibilities it's pretty exciting," Pelaez said. "By the end of the season who knows how good this team could be."

State champs?

"Now we're not getting ahead of ourselves," Maddox said. "We're just shooting for all we can be."

At the top of that list just might be Pelaez. After hovering around 2 minutes in the 800 meters through last season's region meet, he suddenly found himself running in one of the state's fastest-ever high school fields at the state meet. A Class 3A state record was set at 1 minute, 49.75 seconds by Miami Washington's Tim Harris. And of the five ahead of Pelaez, three were seniors and two juniors.

"I loved racing against that caliber of competition," Pelaez said. "I wish I could do it all the time. Sure, I finished sixth but I ran my fastest time. That race made me run faster. It also showed me I can run even faster."

Which has made him, and his teammates, work harder.

"The guys like Pelaez who have performed great at the state level have inspired the others," Maddox said. "They say, "Look at them working,' and then they say, "I'm going to work just as hard.' "

"The spirit here is infectious," Pelaez said. "Everybody is getting better and better."

The hope is Murdock, who signed a football scholarship with South Carolina, can win or come close to winning the 100- and 200-meter state titles, while Pelaez does the same in the 800.

Then, with some help from Conshario Johnson in the 400 meters, which he is expected to run under 50 seconds, along with teammates in the 4X100-meter and 4X800-meter relays, more points can be added in.

"And who knows, maybe even another nice surprise (such as sprinter Patrick Burnett) might jump up and score some points as well," Maddox said. "You have to stay positive. You have to believe. We always have, and that's a big reason I think we won district titles in our first two years of existence. That's also why we believe we'll win No. 3, and who knows what after that."

[Last modified March 4, 2005, 00:31:15]