Jesuit Track Team Exeeds Expectations and Strives for More
by Sargon Benjamin

       On the last days of February 1999, the track team for Jesuit began practicing in hope of reaching new and unprecedented goals. So, despite the rain in February and March, Coach Lange's distance runners stacked on the heavy mileage on the trails, Coach Fairchild and McGuire's sprinters had speed work as well as conditioning on stairs, Coach Nuxoll's shotputters began weightlifting, and the pole vaulters began working on form. As a result of the rigorous training and hard work ethics, elite runners have emerged from the track team giving the other schools quite a scare.

       The sprinters have run outstanding thus far with great performances by standout senior Justin Thomas, juniors Charles Bell and Ajani Byrd, and sophomore Jeff Conkey. Each of these individuals has contributed a great deal in the team's points. J.T. is a versatile sprinter competing in the 4 X 100 team, the 200, the 400, the 4 X 400, and the 800 meters. Just recently, he helped the 4 X 400 team to receive second place at the well known Bay Area Top 8 Track Meet Invitational. Charles Bell and Ajani Byrd also ran on the 4 X 400 team at the Bay Area Track Meet. Jeff Conkey has produced points through his hurdle races in the 300 meter hurdles and the 100 meter hurdles as well as running the anchor leg on the J.V. 4 X 400 team that won first place in its division for Jesuit at the Bay Area Top 8 Track Meet held on Saturday April 24, 1999. Coach Lange has once again created a solid distance running team with top runners like senior Chris Robertson, and phenom sophomores Brandon Collins and Barry Carmody who do extremely well on the Varsity level. Unfortunately, Barry Carmody was injured at a practice and will be out for the rest of the season. However, sophomore Alton Dunnigan has stepped it up by running a 10:18 for the 2 mile which is an extremely good time for a sophomore. Brandon Collins broke the freshmen 800 record last year with a 1:59.55 and so far this year he has ran a 1:58.7 race. Lastly, the field events for the track team have contributed a great deal in the team's success. Pole vaulter Mike Byrne has placed first in numerous track meets and his best vault is 13 ft 6inches. Sophomores Matt Johnson and Eric Price have thrown the shotput superbly thus far and hope to meet their goals near the end of the season. Consequently, the track team has had much success and has fought through the adversities and challenges that have faced it. Let's just hope those runners get faster and faster by the time that Sections arrive. Good Luck Track Team!