Local News - April 2003

ELHS Notebook

Track squads look like winners

TERRANCE THOMAS, Staff Writer

DENVER — East Lincoln track teams were successful last season. The boys’ sprinters were the best in the Big South Conference. The girls’ squad was one of the best teams in the league.

This year the majority of both teams are back. Both Mustangs teams should again contend for the Big South title.

The Mustangs are doing just that. The boys haven’t been beaten and the girls are 5-3.

“It’s going real well,” said coach Melvin Morrison on Monday. “We’re having a good season. So far (the boys) are undefeated. We’ve got a couple of big meets coming up that we’re trying to get ready for. Individually, we seem to be strong in our sprints.”

The boys’ team were dominating in their last match against South Point, East Gaston and North Gaston. East won four individual events and three relays.

One of the fastest runners in the state is Jonathan Tucker who won the 400-meter dash in 50.4 to break the East Lincoln school record.

It’s still early. Tucker plans to lower that time and shoot for the state title.

“I just come to run,” Tucker said. “In order for people to beat me, they will have to come to run too.

“I going to do my best. Hopefully, I can keep breaking the records. 50.4 seconds is my best, but I’m not happy. I going to work in down more and do like 48 or 49 seconds. That’s definitely my goal.”

Another speedster is Morris Rendleman. He won the 100-meter dash. Rendleman showcased his skills when he ran back kicks during the football season.

Rendleman, Tucker along with Dante and Jadarious Roseboro are the members of the first-place 800-meter relay team. Last year, this group finished second in the conference meet.

“The 4x200 (800 relay) runners) have been solid all year,” said Morrison. “They are undefeated and seem to be improving. They’ve already qualified for the regionals.”

Tucker is also a key in the 1,600-meter relay team with Antron McClain, Brandon Hamilton and Dennis Hickman. They took first place at South Point also.

The Mustangs also captured the 3,200 relay. Hickman, Brian Funk, John Rosenbaum run the relay along with Chris Haney, the runner-up in the 1,600.

“Our field events (look) to be strong this year,” Morrison said. “That’s has been a weakness at the high school (in the past).”

In the field events, Carlos Marquez won the shot put and Erick Gregory was second in the discus. Thomas Huntley was the best of the field in the high jump.

The boys team has the talent to get points in each event. That’s what wins track meets.

The girls’ team is no slouch either.

It’s basically a young team with juniors, sophomore and freshmen playing key roles.

“The girls’ relay teams are also solid this year,” Morrison said. “We have a strong (800) relay. Our 400 and 3,200 relay teams are solid too. In our last meet, we had a problem with the exchange in the 400. Other than that, they have been (good).”

The girls have looked good in the individuals too.

“I have the Roseboro sisters, Koree and Toree,” Morrison said. “Most of the time, Toree wins the 100 and Koree wins the 200. They are also in my relay teams.

“Allison Castle does well in the 400. Brittney Browning helps out in hurdles, bringing experience from middle school,” he said.

The girls placed third at South Point but were only 11 points from the winner, the host team.

With the girls, sophomore Toree Roseboro is Miss Speed. She won the 100 and came in second in the 200.

“I think we’re going to be pretty good,” she said. “We need to work hard, be dedicated and do what we have to do. My goal is lower my time.”

Castle, a junior, is a force too. She won the 400 and helped the 1,600 relay team (Castle, MaryLou McGuigan, Brittney Browning and Megan Seehorn) win.

Browning, a freshman, captured the 100 hurdles.

Meanwhile, Seehorn is working on her third straight conference title in the high jump. She won the state championship in that event last year. She has to be the favorite to win it again.

There are other girls who will play a factor before the season is over like Casey Cline (third in 400), Stephanie Tasitino (second in 1,600 run) and of course, Koree Roseboro.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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