hil_boystrack022707
By JOEY KNIGHT
Published February 27, 2007
Boys Track Preview
Granted, the local prep track season may have formally begun with Saturday's Steak 'n Shake Invitational, but to us, a track meet in February possesses the same awkward feel as pre-Thanksgiving basketball.
When temperatures get a tad higher, so will the collective gear of the area's top track and field athletes. With that in mind, here's a look at some county hurdlers, high jumpers, dashers and discus throwers expected to make noise in the 2007 postseason.
Distance Runners
Keegan Bixler, Newsome, So.: Won 3,200 at Steak 'n Shake
Richard Blake, Berkeley, Jr.: 5th in 3,200 at 2A state meet
Baker Burchfield, Wharton, Sr.: 4th at 4A cross country meet
Pedro Carela, Wharton, Sr.: 2nd in 3,200 at Steak 'n Shake
Tyler Greathouse, Berkeley Prep, Fr.: Top-15 placer at A cross country meet
John Foster, Hillsborough: 8th at 3A state meet in 800
Ciprian Mejia, Sickles, Jr.: 11th at 4A cross country meet
Connor Revord, Jesuit, So.: 3rd in 1,600 at 2A state meet
Derek Wehunt, Sickles, So.: 4A qualifier in three events
Hurdlers/Jumpers/Vaulters
Drew Franklin, Jefferson, Sr.: Runnerup in 300 at Steak 'n Shake
Kyle Garrison, Jefferson, Sr.: High jumper runnerup at Steak 'n Shake
Jay Lassiter, Armwood, Sr.: Region top seed in 110 high hurdles last season
Chris Luther, Riverview, Sr.: Region qualifier in 110
Terrence Mitchell, Hillsborough, Fr.: AAU national champ in long jump
Erik Moser, Wharton, Jr.: 6th at 3A meet in pole vault
Thomas Parrott, Plant, Sr.: District champ and state qualifier in pole vault
Luke Rorech, Plant, Sr.: 3A state finalist in 300; district high jump champ
Greg Saint-Juste, Wharton, Jr.: 3rd in 300 at Steak 'n Shake
Sprinters
Phillip Boles, Gaither, Sr.: 4A state finalist in 400, 4x100
Hunter Clasen, Jesuit, Sr.: Defending 2A champion in 400
Charles Griffin, Freedom, Sr.: On 4x400 team that placed third at state
Lovell Jackson, left , Plant, Jr.: District champ in 100
Keyon Jones, Freedom, Jr.: On 4x400 team that placed third at state
Aaron Lake, Sickles, Sr.: Region qualifier in 400
Dentarius Locke, Riverview, So.: State qualifier in 200 as freshman
Tarel Sampson, Hillsborough, Sr.: Region qualifier in two events
Mykael Suber, East Bay, Sr.: Hand-held time of 10.59 in 100 last year
Josh Walton, Robinson, Sr.: 2A state finalist in two events
Marc Williams, Hillsborough, Jr.: State qualifier in 400, 4x400
Throwers
Torrey Davis, Armwood, Sr.: 5th at 3A meet in discus
David Piccirilli, Jesuit, Sr.: 5th in shot put at 2A meet
Frank Scott, Blake, Sr.: Fourth in discus at 3A meet
Kashief Steen, Hillsborough, Sr.: 5th at regionals in shot put
Jamie Van Pelt, Plant, Jr.: Had throw of 142-7 in discus at Jan. 20 meet
Teams (Based on informal poll of county coaches)
1. Wharton
2. Jesuit
3. Gaither
4. Sickles
5. (tie) Hillsborough, Plant, Chamberlain