MENS TRACK:
A REBIRTH AT JACKSON STATE by William Bright, Jr.
The Jackson State men’s track and field program entered the 2004 season with a renewed attitude and a roster of athletes with the potential to bring JSU track back into the mix in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The program has been out of the loop when it comes to championships. However, this season looks to be a bright spot to a new beginning for the Tigers. “We are really looking forward to the conference championships,” said men’s head coach Edmond Donald. “We have been training hard since the cross country and now is the time to see just where we stand.” “We are really strong in the middle distance areas. The bulk of our returnees have the potential to make some noise throughout the year,” said Donald. Making noise is what the men’s squad has done so far this year. The 4-
by-400 meter relay team has been at or near the top in several meets, including setting a meet record at the 2003 Arkansas State Kickoff Klassic. The team of Michael Tinsley, Cori Cloyd, Michael Smith and Terry Estwick produced a time of 3:15.61 which shattered the record formerly held by Southern University. The distance medley relay team of Henry Jackson, Michael Brown, Terrell Daughtery and Cloyd produced a time of 10:22.53 – a mark that may place them in the NCAA Regionals in that event. The program has also benefited from other athletic teams at Jackson State. Dave Scott, who splits his time between football and the weight throw, had a toss of 10.35 meters at the 2004 HBCU Classic in Landover, Maryland to win the
45 • THE JACKSONIAN SPRING 2004
event. Air’en Cabell (football) is among the fastest sprinters in the SWAC. J