Boys track: Scouting the Fox Valley
Bartlett HawksCoach: Eric Kramer (sixth season)
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2013 record: seventh overall, UEC; third UEC Valley
Top returning athletes: seniors Dan Cotton (distance); juniors Dan Brainard (throws), Dan Danek (throws), Bryce Petty (sprints),
Top newcomers: senior Hurshel Ross (sprint); sophomores Justin Isla (mid-distance), Lucas Isla (mid-distance), A.J. Santori (hurdles), Tre Stagen (mid-distance)
Season outlook: The Hawks return a couple of seniors who qualified for state in Dan Cotton and Matt Hess, but this team consists primarily of promising sophomores and freshmen whose best performances might be a year or two away. Cotton's time is now. Last year he ran the 3,200 in 9:30.23 at the sectional. He is also a state qualifier in cross country. Hess is the only returning member of the 3,200-meter relay team that placed second in Class 3A (7:46.32). The high expectations surrounding sprinter Bryce Petty rose even higher during the indoor season, when the junior shaved .4 seconds off his 55-meter time. He will compete in the 100 and 200 and is expected to be a key relay component. "I think he has a chance to be Bartlett's most decorated sprinter by the time he graduates," said coach Eric Kramer, a Bartlett graduate himself. "Cotton, Hess and Petty headline this group, but the next wave of Bartlett track athletes is coming along very nicely overall. We have a couple of talented seniors, but for the most part we are set up for the future." Senior Anthony Peters reduced his two-mile time below 10 minutes during the final two meets of the indoor season. He and Cotton give the Hawks a good 1-2 punch in that event. Thrower Dan Brainard has been in the neighborhood of 48 feet in the shot throughout the indoor season and is poised to let loose some 50-footers outdoors, Kramer said. Junior Dan Danek continues to improve in that event as well and could push 50 feet. Senior Hurshel Ross is a track newcomer. A running back in the fall, he will take part in sprints and relays. The promising sophomore crop includes A.J. Santori, the school's leading scorer in soccer last fall. He brings athleticism to the 300-meter intermediate hurdles and will take part in relays. Sophomore Tre Stagen made a strong showing in the 400 at the sectional as a freshmen. Twins Lucas and Justin Isla provide depth in the 400, 800 and the distance relays.
Burlington Central RocketsCoach: Mike Schmidt (19th season)
Conference: Big Northern East
2013 record: first in Big Northern East, third in 2A sectional
Top returning athletes: seniors David Abejide (triple), Ian Napiorkowski (high jump), Sean Kisch (pole vault), Casey Matthews (sprints), Matt O'Connor (mid-distance), Travis Panariello (sprints); juniors Trevor Davison (sprints), Lucas Ege (hurdles), Anton Christensen (throws), Zach Gorman (throws), Clay Musial (distance), Kyle Neubauer (mid-distance); sophomores Jason Berango (long jump, relays), Tim Goerke (long jump)
Season outlook: Junior Lucas Ege finished fifth in Class 2A in the 300-meter hurdles as a sophomore. He is ranked No. 2 in Class 2A heading into this weekend's Prep Top Times indoor meet. A hamstring issue at the Kane County Meet kept Ege from competing in that event at the sectional level last year. Otherwise, "he probably would have placed in those as well," Central coach Mike Schmidt said. "We have a nice tradition of hurdlers here and I think Lucas has a chance to be our best one ever. It's just a matter of keeping him healthy." Ege will also compete in the 400 relay and 1,600 relay. Matt O'Connor was a member of Central's state champion 3,200-meter relay team in 2012, but he missed his junior season due to a stress fracture. O'Connor returns "with a vengeance," according to his coach, and is ranked No. 4 in the 800 and No. 5 in the 400 heading into Top Times. He also anchors a 1,600 relay team ranked second in the state. Senior Casey Matthews, an all-conference safety/quarterback, returns to run sprints. So does senior Travis Panariello, who lost last season to a knee injury. Matthews and Panariello will both compete in the sprint relays and Matthews may stretch out to run the 400. They are joined by junior sprinter Trevor Davison, a two-year varsity football player. Junior Clay Musial is ranked third in 2A in the 3,200 run. Already he has broken many of the program's frosh-soph records held by Clint Kliem (SIU-Edwardsville), and he recently broke the school indoor record in the two-mile by 10 seconds, a mark previously held by Ryan Phebus (Wichita State). Jason Berango was a member of two state-qualifying relay teams as a freshman. A torn meniscus suffered during summer drills cost him his sophomore football season, but his rehab is on track and he looks good in his return to the track, Schmidt said. Berango will not compete in the triple jump but will return in the long jump. Junior Kyle Neubauer returns from the state-qualifying 3,200 relay team. He is ranked 11th in Class 2A in the 400 and joins the 1,600 relay alongside O'Connor, Ege and Matthews. Schmidt said he expects that lineup to challenge for a state title. Returning senior pole vaulter Sean Kisch is already clearing 12 feet and sophomore Keegan Whitmer is in the neighborhood. Throwers Anton Christensen and Zach Gorman both posted shot put distances in the mid-40 range indoors. Jumpers David Abejide returns in the triple jump and Tim Goerke in the long jump. High jumper Ian Napiorkowski (6-foot-2). The three-time defending Big Northern East champs have won either an indoor or outdoor conference title or a sectional title for 14 straight years. "We want to make that 15 this year," Schmidt said. "Winnebago is really tough this year but I would say we are a slight favorite. Kaneland is probably the only team in the northern half of the state in 2A better than us. We are probably better than them on the track, but they have us in the field. We think we have a team that can be top 10 in the state. It's not the best team we've had top to bottom, but it is one of the better teams with some real star-potential guys to carry it."
Cary-Grove TrojansCoach: Layne Holter (20th year)
Conference: Fox Valley Valley
2013 record: fifth in FVC
Top returning athletes: senior Brad Wolter (sprints); juniors Ricky Hurley (throws), Michael Saxon (hurdles, sprints), Matt Wade (throws); sophomores J.D. Byrne (sprints), Jon Davison (sprints), Robbie Gleeson (sprints), Ryan Pinter (hurdles, 400)
Season outlook: Veteran thrower Ricky Hurley will factor in every meet he enters this season. A state qualifier in both the shot put and discus a year ago, he finished fifth in Class 3A in discus (163-3) and seventh in shot put (55-3¼). Hurley won the FVC Indoor meet shot title last week with a heave just over 57 feet. "I did everything right on my 57-foot throw," Hurley told Daily Herald correspondent Dave Hess. "I took a deep breath, then another deep breath and blocked everything out of my mind." The Trojans do have other athletes who can score points, demonstrated last week at the FVC Indoor meet. Junior Brad Saxon placed second in the 55 hurdles (7.94) and senior Brad Wolter took third in the 400 (55.17). Saxon tied for the FVC title last season in the 300 hurdles. However, the Trojans finished eighth out of 14 teams at the FVC Indoor last week, fifth in the Valley Division behind Jacobs, Huntley, Dundee-Crown and CL South.
Crystal Lake South GatorsCoach: Rich Eschman (12 years)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2013 record: ninth in FVC
Top returning athletes: seniors Zach Balousek (sprints), Joe Coughlin (distance), Will Davis (distance), Duncan Henderson (distance), Brandon Madoni (sprints), Kyle Madoni (sprints), Ian Meador (distance), Kyle Radosevich (mid-distance), Tyler Splitt (mid-distance); juniors Drew Kophman (mid-distance), David Lenzini (mid-distance), Ryan Sisto (sprints); sophomores Kyle Hedge (throws), Thomas Mroz (throws)
Top newcomers: juniors Matt McCarthy (triple/sprints), Tony Nuccio (sprints), Ryan Russman (sprints); sophomores Tommy Berger (sprints), Jimmy Collins (jumps), Scott Coughlin (jumps); freshman Brandon Dahl (pole vault), Tommy Melone (distance), John Prus (mid-distance/distance)
Season outlook: The Gators return a pair of state qualifiers and should be strong in middle-distance and the relays. Senior David Lenzini is a three-time state qualifier and relay veteran who looks to complete his career with a fourth state trip. CL South's experienced middle distance crew also includes seniors Drew Kophman - another relay veteran - Kyle Radosevich and Tyler Splitt. Two CL South relay teams qualified for Saturday's Top Times indoor meet. The 3,200-meter relay team won the FVC Indoor meet last week in a time of 8:29.12. Thrower Kyle Hedge recently demonstrated his readiness for the outdoor shot put season by breaking Bert Merlo's 1997 program record of 54 feet, 3 inches with a heave of 54-10½. Hedge came within two feet of the winning throw by Cary-Grove all-state shot putter Ricky Hurley, his friendly rival, at the FVC Indoor Meet last week. The Gators lack experience in the hurdles and jumps, but could score twice in middle distance events. Juniors Ryan Sisto, Tony Nuccio and Matt McCarthy are key components of solid sprint relay teams. McCarthy and sophomores Jimmy Collins and Scott Coughlin are jumpers who can earn meet points. "We'd like to finish in the top five overall in the conference. I think that would be pretty good," veteran coach Rich Eschman said. "We've gotten the two-mile relay downstate two years in a row and we'd like to keep that going. We hope to get them to state again along with Kyle in throws and David in the 800."
Dundee-Crown ChargersCoach: Mike Richardson (first season)
Conference: Fox Valley
2013 record: seventh in FVC
Top returning athletes: Sam Franckowiak (sprints), Thomas Rice (throws), Joe Ayala (distance), Kiwaun Seals (jumps), Justin Tolentino (jumps), Austin White (sprints)
Top newcomers: senior T.J. Moss (sprints); juniors Malik Dunner (sprints), Christian Johnson (throws)
Season outlook: Dundee-Crown track and field is under new management for the first time in 34 years as Mike Richardson takes over for retired coach Tom Smith. Richardson was the head coach last year at Grayslake North, which he led to a sixth-place FVC finish. The new coach likes the athletes he inherits at D-C. "This team right now is better than the team I was with last year," Richardson said. "We were fifth in the conference indoor meet last week, so I think fifth or better outdoors would be a successful season for us. And we'd like to get as many kids to qualify for the next level as we can." The sprint lineup gets a huge boost from the addition of two football players. Senior TJ Moss, who hasn't competed in track since his freshman year, returns. He and junior Malik Dunner last week joined senior Sam Franckowiak and junior Austin White to win the 400-meter relay at the FVC indoor in 1:16.52, setting new school and meet records. The same foursome will likely compete in the 800 relay. White and Dunner will work together and push each other, and both could earn points individually, Richardson said. Kiwaun Seals returns faster, taller and stronger than a year ago, when he took second in the FVC in the triple jump. Junior Justin Tolentino was jumping 40 feet in the triple and 20 feet in the long jump during indoor season. Improving thrower Thomas Rice has the potential to earn a few points. Christian Johnson, a 220-pound varsity wrestler, has been among D-C's top throwers.
Elgin MaroonsCoach: Drew Smith (first season)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
Top returning athletes: seniors Giovanni Acosta (distance/pole vault), Richard Childs (distance), Emilio Mancha (distance), Jhon Payne (jumps, pole vault); juniors Logan Jostes (distance), Jordan Smith (sprints)
Top newcomers: seniors Jaylen Clemons (sprints),
Season outlook: The Elgin program has a new leader in Drew Smith, who ran track at Buffalo Grove High School and Taylor University. He takes over for Kevin Cleveland, who stepped down after last season following 12 years as Elgin's coach over two stints. Smith had already been hired to join the Elgin teaching staff in the physical education department when Cleveland stepped down. Smith, who for five years taught at Cambridge Lakes K-8 Charter School in Pingree Grove and founded a successful track program there, jumped at the opportunity to become a high school track coach. "It's been a dream of mine to step into a head coaching job, so I was shocked and pleased when I got the call last August from (Elgin athletic director) Paul (Pennington)," Smith said. "One of the things Paul and I talked about was recruiting within the school because the last few years they've had somewhat of a small team. We're trying to get as many kids out as possible." The turnout programwide this spring was strong enough to merit a fourth coaching position. Two returning athletes with strong chances of challenging for a state berth are junior Logan Jostes and senior Richard Childs. Jostes can run any race from the 800 to the 3,200 but will concentrate on the two-mile for now. Childs is a cross country runner and a vocal leader who will specialize in the mile this spring in his first foray into track. The distance crew, directed by Elgin cross country coach Jon Devine, is a team strong point, thanks to the return of Emilio Mancha and Giovanni Acosta. Football running back Jaylen Clemons is one of the athletes Smith convinced to try track. He could be a key component of 400 and 800-meter relay teams. Junior sprinter Jordan Smith continues to develop into a leader, his coach said. Sophomore sprinter Tyreese Riley epitomizes the work ethic his coach seeks. "He's lightning quick, he loves track and he works his butt off every single day," Smith said. "You wish you had 20 of that kind of kid." Senior basketball player Khiree Edwards will join the team soon, according to Drew Smith, and join a potent relay lineup alongside Clemons, Riley and Jordan Smith. Jhon Payne and Giovanni Acosta showed interest in the pole vault, so the school came through with new equipment to allow them to compete. The new coach likes the program's direction already. "We had 27 personal records among our athletes competing at the conference meet last weekend," Smith said. "Now we just have to keep them focused and keep improving."
Elgin Academy HilltoppersCoach: Adrian Ayala (fourth season)
Conference: Independent School League
2013 record: sixth ISL
Top returning athletes: senior Jack Souk (400); juniors Jackson Jaworski (throws), John Petropoulos (sprints) Spencer Schael (hurdler); sophomores Michael Lucas (mid-distance), Armin Ward (sprints)
Top newcomers: junior Fred Xhao (400, 800); sophomore Bennett Larson (200/400), Devin Uner (distance); freshmen Owen Vajarski (mid-distance)
Season outlook: This squad has a better balance of talent than some recent editions that featured two or three top athletes and others who failed to place. "Despite a small group of 10, this is the best overall group of guys I've had top to bottom," coach Adrian Ayala said. "Everyone in this group looks strong and they are working harder than in previous seasons." The returning group is headlined by junior Spencer Schael, the two-time defending ISL champion in the 300 hurdles. He enters the outdoor season needing to trim 1.2 seconds to reach the Class 1A state qualification threshold.
Hampshire Whip-PursCoach: Joe Watzlawick (second year)
Conference: Fox Valley Fox
Top returning athletes: juniors Brandon Bowen (high jump), Gader Bulow (shot/disc), Andy Pedersen (hurdles), Roberto Urizar (400)
Top newcomers: seniors Will Hempel (hurdles), Tim Jansen (sprints)
Season outlook: This is not a senior-laden roster, which makes the additions of senior sprinter Tim Jansen and senior hurdler Will Hempel welcome. Jansen was an all-area wide receiver last fall. "We are young, a lot of freshmen and sophomores," coach Joe Watzlawick said. "We have some good leadership from some guys that have been around awhile. Our goal is to improve and I think we will." Junior Brandon Bowen recently took second in the high jump at the FVC Indoor meet with a leap of 5-11. That was the best showing of any Whip-Pur.
Harvest Christian LionsCoach: Steven Bland (third year)
Conference: Northeastern Athletic
2013 record: third in NAC
Top returning athletes: Zach Harbaugh (400)
Season outlook: The Lions hope to continue their upward trajectory within the Northeastern Athletic Conference, led by 400 specialist Zach Harbaugh and a corps of runners who helped the cross country team qualify for state last fall. "Last year our boys finished third in the conference," coach Steven Bland said. "Success would be moving up that ladder to some degree. We would also like to have a better showing at the sectional meet and qualify a few athletes for state." Bland says Mooseheart and Rockford Christian will offer the most resistance within the NAC.
Huntley Red RaidersCoach: Jim Rolando (ninth year)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2013 record: Valley Division and overall FVC champion; McHenry County meet champion
Top returning athletes: senior John Los (mid-distance); juniors Brennan Bell (jumps, hurdles), Connor Boos (sprints), Isaac Jiminez (throws); sophomores Seth Conroy (mid-distance/distance), Keegan Smith (mid-distance/distance)
Season outlook: This team has too many newcomers to list, including 25 freshmen and a few juniors and sophomores new to high school track. Seven athletes vital to Huntley's 2013 success now compete in college athletics, five in track and field. "We look to improve as the season goes along," coach Jim Rolando said. "We lost a number of four-year varsity letter winners to graduation so it will be difficult to replace some of the guys who helped us win some bigger meets last year. Getting the younger guys ready to compete will be a priority for us, and that is both a strength and a weakness." Youth served the Red Raiders well last week at the FVC Indoor. Huntley scored 88 points and finished second to Jacobs by 17 points. Sophomore Keegan Smith won the mile (4:36.64), junior Connor Boos was second in the 200 (24.38) and third in the 55 (6.79), junior Brennan Bell was third in the 55-meter hurdles (7.97) and sophomore Seth Conry finished second in the 3,200 (10:00.04).
Jacobs Golden EaglesCoach: Jason Borhart (13th season)
Conference: Fox Valley Valley
2013 record: eighth in FVC
Top returning athletes: seniors Jon Godinez (mid-distance), Zach Johnson (mid-distance), Matt Johnson (distance), Nick Lindquist (pole vault); juniors Sebastian Baran (1,600), Camden McLain (hurdles), Matt Olbie (distance), Josh Walker (sprints); sophomore Dylan Rogers (400)
Top newcomers: junior Adam Anyu (triple jumper, spring relays), Nick Gierlak (sprints, relays)
Season outlook: Jacobs can's sneak up on anyone in the Fox Valley outdoor season after the Golden Eagles won the FVC Indoor meet with 105 points, 17 better than Huntley. Top performances included second-place finishes by the 400, 1,600 and 3,200-meter relay teams, junior Josh Walker placing first in he 200 (24.24) and second in the 55 dash (6.63), junior Adam Anyu taking second in the triple jump (40-3), and third-place finishes by miler Zach Johnson (4:38.83) and senior pole vaulter Nick Lindquist (11-0). Sophomore Dylan Rogers not only won the 400, but his time of 54.24 set a new meet record. Jon Godinez is on the verge of eclipsing 2:07 in the 800. Junior Sebastian Baran was third in the mile at the FVC Outdoor Meet last year. "There is no way we can downplay it; we are in the mix," Jacobs coach Jason Borhart said of the FVC title chase. "We want to be in that mix. Things are quite a bit different outdoors. Add another throw and another sprint relay and things can switch. But I'd be lying if I said it's not a goal of ours to perform like we did last Wednesday and keep things rolling."
Larkin RoyalsCoach: Nate Williams (first year)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
Top returning athletes: seniors Donte Bonds (400, sprints), Alex O'Claire (distance), Jarelle Shipp (sprints)
Top newcomers: seniors Damion Clemons (sprints), Dominque Dorantez (sprints); sophomore A.J. Hunter (sprints)
Season outlook: Assistant Nate Williams takes over for Mike Scianna. Williams, previously a head high school track coach in Michigan and Florida, inherits a pair of returning state qualifiers in Donte Bonds and Jarelle Shipp. They were part of Larkin's state-bound 1,600-meter relay team last spring. They return as co-captains. Bonds will likely compete in the open 400 while Shipp concentrates on shorter sprints. Alex O'Claire is a traditional distance runner, all-conference in cross country. He may be asked to try his hand at the 400. Several athletes are expected to join the team after spring break, including three-sport speedster Damion "Bubba" Clemons, one of the fastest running backs in the Upstate Eight. He and sophomore A.J. Hunter could become key components of a sprint relay that could challenge for state qualification. "If he can do on the track what he can do in between the tackles, we should be in pretty good shape in the sprint relays," Williams said of Clemons. "I hope this team continues to grow and lays the foundation for future generations as we try to build up track and field around Elgin." As part of rebuilding interest in track in the city of Elgin, Larkin is returning the UEC meet to Memorial Field, where the Royals will host the event.
South Elgin StormCoach: Anthony LaRue (fifth year)
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2013 record:
Top returning athletes: senior Kyle Kumerow (jumps), Matt Stover (distance); junior Marshawn Lewis (sprints); sophomore Shawn Griffin (sprints)
Top newcomers: John Danner (800, relays); sophomore Isaiah Carpenter (400)
Season outlook: Senior Kyle Kumerow returns. Last season he became the first athlete in South Elgin's brief history to qualify for the state meet in a field event. He finished 12th at Charleston in the triple jump (44-3¾). Last week he took second in the high jump at the Upstate Eight Conference Indoor Meet when he cleared 6-1. The Storm graduated sprinter Jeff Broger (Eastern Illinois) but sophomore Shawn Griffin seems primed to pick up where Broger left off. Griffin posted three second-place finishes at the recent UEC Indoor. He missed winning the 55 dash by .03 seconds, he took second in the 200 (23.26) and was part of the runner-up 800-meter relay team (1:34.72). "Our goals are to teach kids and get good kids to the top levels," coach Anthony LaRue said. "Whether it be striving to get into the conference meet, the IHSA state meet or beyond, we want our athletes to love our sport just as we do ... Our goals are to have the highest GPA at South Elgin High School, score in every event group at the Upstate Eight outdoor conference meet and get our best athletes down to the 2014 IHSA state meet."
St. Edward Green WaveCoach: Mike Olenek (fifth year)
Conference: Suburban Christian Gold
2013 record: fifth in SCC
Top returning athletes: seniors DaVontae Elam (sprints), John Gotheridge (throws); junior James Eisen (distance), Michael Kelly (sprints), Derek Lindahl (mid-distance); sophomore Albert Lopez (sprints)
Top Newcomers: senior Craig Ripoli (sprints); juniors Eduardo Carachure (sprints), Enrique Mancera (sprints)
Season Outlook: The Green Wave may not win the SCC Gold, but this team is sprinkled with legitimate state-caliber performers, not to mention a burgeoning relay squad determined to reach Charleston. Versatile senior thrower John Gotheridge will threaten for a state berth in discus and shot put, and he possesses enough speed to be considered for a relay. The team gets a boost from the addition of senior DaVontae Elam, the school's best overall athlete. Committed to Northern Michigan to play football, Elam "is very focused on track and wants to go downstate," Green Wave coach Mike Olenek said. Elam and sophomore Alberto Lopez form the basis of the squad's 400 and 800-meter relay teams. Senior Craig Ripoli should be in that mix once he returns from a nagging injury. St. Edward has depth in the sprints, thanks to Enrique Mancera, Eduardo Carachure and senior Michael Kelly. "This is one of the best teams I've had in terms of people," Olenek said. "They are making track fun again."
Streamwood SabresCoach: Matt Willock (second year)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
Top returning athletes: seniors Ryan Ashenhurst (hurdles), Collin Crumlett (distance), Vasu Patel (distance), Alex Rader (throws); sophomores Dazwan Bowens (sprints), Robert Douglas (1,600), Jacob McGlone (400/jumps), Tae Reetz (sprints), Francisco Vega (distance)
Top newcomers: seniors Lenard Brown (sprints, jumps), Will Troman (distance); sophomores Brian Atkins (jumps), Travious Brown-Utley (sprints), Jelyn Hill (high jump and sprints), Aaron Siewert (high jump, relays)
Season outlook: Second-year coach Matt Willock was thrilled when 50 athletes turned out last year, so he's over the moon with this year's 65-man crew. He believes this young, developing group gives Streamwood enough depth to challenge South Elgin and Bartlett within District U-46. The sophomore class is particularly athletic and includes three-sport athletes like Tra Brown and Jelyn Hill, among several candidates for sprints and sprint relay teams. Sophomore Brian Atkins placed in the long and triple jumps at the UEC Indoor Meet and a last-chance meet in Bolingbrook last weekend. Senior Will Troman posted a 4:50 mile at the Bolingbrook meet. Jacob McGlone, fresh off basketball, was clocked at 55.4 in the 400 indoors and will also compete in the 1,600-meter relay. "When we get everyone fully healthy, we'll be right in the mix with the top schools in U-46, and we should get a couple of kids downstate," Willock said. "We have a good outlook for the next couple of years because we are so young. I think we'll be a team to look at in the near future."
Westminster Christian WarriorsCoach: Adriana Armstrong (first year)
Conference: Northeastern Athletic
Top returning athletes: senior Alexis Guttilla (mid-distance); sophomore Zach Aters (throws)
Top newcomers: senior DeShawn Bloom (sprints); junior Jessie Sutter (sprints); freshman Tom Danner (distance)
Season outlook: First-year coach Adriana Armstrong attempts to guide the program to consistent improvement. The lineup gets a lift this spring from the addition of senior sprinter DeShawn Bloom, who played running back for the Warriors last fall. Thrower Zach Aters is Westminster's best bet to score field points. "While most of the team members are new to the sport, the veterans are being great role models and examples," Armstrong said. "Focused off-season workouts have proven to benefit returning sophomore Zach Aters in his strength and power in shot put. Speed and endurance are evident in early season practices of senior DeShawn Bloom, junior Jessie Sutter and freshman Tom Danner."