2012 in Track: One Incredible Year

THANK YOU SENIOR CLASS 2012!

JORDAN ROACH STATE CHAMPION SCHOOL RECORD HOLDER 187’6

DENVER WRIGHT TRIPLE STATE CHAMPION

STATON MAYFIELD DOUBLE STATE CHAMPION

MATT DESAULNIER

OBI OKEYO DOUBLE STATE CHAMPION

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AVERY MARTIN STATE CHAMPION

MICHAEL IDZIAK STATE CHAMPION SENIORS 2012

DJ RANDLE EL STATE CHAMPION

FRED HARDY AWARD WINNER

ANTON BARTSEVICH STATE CHAMPION

PIOTR WOJENSKI

WHAT A YEAR! I must admit there was a point early in this year when I wondered just where it was all headed. In October it felt like rock bottom when we competed at nearby Pleasant Grove. A rainy, dreary day was made worse when Avery Martin wiped out on a muddy turn and fell into a briar patch. It took about three minutes to get him out, he limped off with a bloody hip and despite my protest finished the race anyway. The rest of the team that day ran equally as bad and it appeared that a long seven months lay ahead.

In November, the Cross Country team improved greatly but finished outside the top ten for the first time in six years. However, later that month a young man showed up for practice in a pair of throwing shoes, grabbed the shot and with precise technique launched it over 45 feet, as far as I was concerned Christmas was not necessary.

There was a noticeable difference in the team as a whole. After a difficult 2011, the returners ran and competed with more resolve, practice was more productive, the improved results would be just around the corner.

Though the early season meets are all un-scored, I of course go back and score them, at Christmas break we were undefeated.

In mid January we had a surprise visitor on the Monday following our Fred Hardy victory, our new President Admiral Burhoe. The photo op was a wonderful acknowledgement for our team. The indoor team ran the table in February winning the Prep League and State titles. The briar patch moment seemed like ten years ago. In March we headed to Gotham for the National Championship with twelve athletes. They all did a great job overcoming my efforts as a bus driver in Manhattan. I am still recovering.

The spring season was a whirlwind I will never forget. Fourteen meets in nine weeks involving three levels of athletes, middle school, junior varsity and varsity. Our coaching staff does a tremendous job in not only coaching but withstanding the demands of the schedule. On April 27th we sent out two different groups to two different meets and followed up the next day with a varsity trip. Few schools anywhere have that kind of staff. The team won an incredible five invitationals and would have notched number six if not for a severe rainstorm in Knoxville. In May the season came to an end with two of the most unforgettable performances I have witnessed at FUMA. The team would bring home two championships with eleven event wins in each. Avery Martin, formerly of the briar patch, would end his high school career as a 4:16 miler! Martin was not the only FUMA athlete to see big improvement.

Matt Desaulnier was a 37 foot shot putter coming into the year, at the State Championships he launched a throw of 49’5 and nearly took down teammate Charlton Larkins the team’s November surprise. Russ Garver has been on the team for six years and has had some hard times. In May he broke five minutes in the mile for the first time with a 4:36! Clyde Gross was an E.D. All– Star in 2011 rarely making it to practice more than two days a week. In 2012 he won a pair of State Championships and was a big part of the sprint relays.

For me, the year truly ended on May 29th when I attended the U.S. Naval Academy graduation. Jeremy Haney and Brian Zitterkopf were the heart and soul of the 2008 State Championship team, the last of the 21 year streak. Both competed all four years for the Navy Track team, both are now Marine Officers. What a year.

Thanks to everyone that was a part of it! The Winged F will fly again in September, Coach Brown.