Boys 2017 Track and Field

Boys Track and Field

The 2017 Boys Track and Field season has finally come to a close and we’re going to take a look back on what our boys have accomplished. Clayton Mendez started out the indoor track season breaking a decades’ old record in the 3200, running a 9:01 2 mile. Then we moved on to have many other athletes get new PRs in tons of events, such as the 200, 400, 1600, long jump, and pole vault. The team was getting stronger and when the Top Times Invitational as well as the indoor City Championship came around they were gelling. Martin Rusanov ’20, first year track team member, said “I didn’t expect to be making such a big impact as a freshman but I’m running events with lots of confidence now.” At the indoor City Championship, the boys placed first with o varsity distance runners at the meet. It was a great accomplishment to know they can compete in the sprinter and field events. At Top Times, Clay went and ran some great times and the 4×800 team also ran very well. Clayton Mendez ’18, said “I was very proud of the indoor season but I was ready for outdoor to start”.

The season started out a little rough for everyone but still the young frosh/soph sprinters were improving as well as the distance runners. Soon the frosh/soph relay team began to gel behind Deshaun Edwards, Lorenzo Bautista, and Martin Rusanov. As well as they were doing in sprint events, the highlight was on distance. Many members of the distance team broke 5 minutes and the shining star Clayton Mendez was making a name for himself once again. He broke the school record in the 800(1:55:76), 1600(4:17), and 3200(8:59:46), and this was an amazing feat for himself, the school, the city, and even the country. Brandon Dokliev ’17, senior track member, said “it’s been a privilege to just watch him run because what he’s been doing has been incredible.” The outdoor City Championship arrived soon and although the team didn’t get their preferred place, every member ran well. The varsity team placed 3rd and the sophomore team placed 2nd. Next, sectionals came and the whole team was ready. Those frosh/soph sprint relays stuck for the best time of the season at sectionals in horrible conditions running a 45.92 in the 4×100. Clayton Mendez ran great times in the 1600 and 3200 to qualify for state in both events. Evan Radomski qualified in the 800 for the second year in a row. The 4×800 team also qualified for a second year in a row. It was a great team effort to finish second in the St. Ignatius Sectional. Down state, Clayton Mendez, ran great times to finish all state in the 1600 and 3200, featuring a top 3 finish in the 3200. Forrest Hayden and Charlie Nevins, who came to state as alternates for the 4×800, ran personal records in the 400 and 1600, respectively. After failing to qualify for the finals of the 800, Evan Radomski joined the 4×800 team to lead them to an all-state finish and school record in 7:48.56. It was a great lasting effort for the seniors, and after many broken school records, the team has nothing to not be proud about. Although, the season is over, but future is bright for the track team and everybody knows it.