|
On
track without a track
Brandywine finds route to success is not always paved in rubber and polyurethane By
ROBERT NIEDZWIECKI The
track at the University of Delaware is made of a
granular rubber base and a polyurethane coat. The
surface of the track at Brandywine High can be described
much more succinctly: dirt.
"It's a sad commentary that I graduated from
this school in the second graduating class, and it's
still the same track I ran on 40 years ago,"
Brandywine co-head coach Don Wood said. Despite the poor quality of the track, the Bulldogs'
girls team took second in the indoor state championships
and has developed into one of Delaware's top programs. The team placed third in the county meet and fifth in
the Division I state meet last spring Despite the team's success and creative off-track
workouts designed by the coaches, it would be easier if
the Bulldogs had what seems to be a necessity for any
track team: A track. The condition of the track has deteriorated over
time, and co-head coach Michelle Flanagan said
Brandywine has not had a home track meet in at least six
years. Flanagan has been coaching at the school for 12
years. "When we go to meets, we see people come out and
cheer on their team," said Ashley Sullivan-Kirksey,
the indoor 800-meter state champion with a school-record
time of 2:23.27. "It makes you wish we had fans
there, but it's hard to get people to come to places
like Newark and Glasgow." There may be hope on the horizon. The Financial Review Task Committee has recommended
the Brandywine School District install tracks at
Brandywine, Mount Pleasant and Concord. The
recommendation has been placed in a referendum. Until that dream comes to fruition, the Bulldogs will
continue to work hard in reality. Bonita Mullen, one of Brandywine's sprinters, said
the possibility of getting a new track has motivated the
team to perform to its highest level. "We need a new track, so we need to show the
[Brandywine School District] what we can do to get
it," she said. The strength of the Bulldogs is their distance team,
led by long-distance runners Jen Kutney (state cross
country champion) and Allison Sanchez and
middle-distance runners Sullivan-Kirksey, Danielle Kerns
and Jennifer Meier. Though they might not be household
names, their faces are certainly well-known around the
Brandywine neighborhood. "People have been supportive," Flanagan
said. "They wave when we go by. They'll probably be
happy to see the track, though, because traffic won't be
so bad." Running around the neighborhood is just one of the
things the Bulldogs do to practice. They also train on a
distance loop they measured out in nearby Chatham. The
team also runs on the school's parking lot and sometimes
find nearby tracks to use for practice. "We have a really good track team, but I think
if we had a track we'd be 10 times better," Kerns
said. "I'm a long jumper also, and we don't have
any pits to jump in, so I do all my jumping at the
meets." The sprinters, led by Mullen and Aysha Gregory, also
train in the parking lot and have even taken to the
tennis courts to run. Overcoming all of this is just a matter of having the
right attitude, Sullivan-Kirksey said. "No one wants to be on a losing team," she
said. "Even if we have to run loops or run on the
parking lot, the first time we step out on the track
this season we want to do well. Determination is the
main reason we've come so far." The consensus among the eight girls on the team and
their coaches is that the Bulldogs can do whatever they
want. "I think this is the strongest team we've had in
years," Flanagan said. "We have a nice
balance. It should be exciting this year, because we've
always been strong in one event, but now we're strong in
sprints and in the field." Kerns prefers the succinct approach when describing
Brandywine's chances. "I think we can win it all," she said. If they do, perhaps other schools will follow the
Bulldogs' example and turn their tracks into mud pits.
|
|
Girls track season preview
A look at the 2001 girls track season, based on preseason information submitted by head coaches. Teams listed by conference in alphabetical order.
Blue Hen Conference
Charter has strength at the longer distances, with Natasha Frisby, Emily Smith and Sarah Smith, and hurdler B.A. Hoffman.
Christiana's efforts will, as always, be sparked by sprinter Danielle Bailey. Also watch high jumper Sharonda Johnson.
Concord is a young team but does have seniors to count on, including all-around runner Jill Brobst and sprinter Schachia Murphy.
Delcastle counts on the versatile Jessica Dennis (hurdles, long jump, 800), LaShauna Gear and younger sister Patrice Gear, Laydesha Lockhart and Sheena Thompson.
Glasgow has top returnees in Kamilah Salaam and Kim Chase, the latter expected to return from her winter season injury. Other key Dragons are Tiara Hudson, Rachel Salter, Renee Salter, Maureen LaFate and Melina Borges.
Hodgson is best at jumping and sprinting events, starting with Adrienn Ennis and Aisha Word. The Eagles also count on Ashley Whitesell (1,600) and Patricia Singleton (55). Singleton heads the relays.
Mount Pleasant returns hurdler Nicole Day, sprinters Tiffanie Claude and Ariel Givens, and shot putter/discus thrower Courtney Dunn.
Newark is strongest at middle distances, with seniors Yasmin Aklilu, Keisha Lones and Johanna Kowalko, and juniors April Desai and Dulcy Gregory.
William Penn's strength in the field events continues with Stephanie Crawford, Lateefah Vaughn and Tianna Vaughn.
Catholic Conference
Padua lost some to graduation, but the Pandas always find a way to contend. Heading the team are sprinters Brittany Hackett and Lauren Wallace and distance runner Erin Lord.
St. Elizabeth expects to do well in distance and some field events, with Shannon Snowden, Rebecca Grey and Katrina DellaPella.
Ursuline, winners of the last 10 Division II state titles, returns distance runners Colleen Taylor, Julie Taylor, Kathleen McLaughlin and Stephanie Smith, and in field events, Julia Janes.
Henlopen Conference
Caesar Rodney is a team that should always be watched. Antonia Adams was a top hurdler last year, Jessica Schultz fared well in sprints and Rosa White is key in the 400.
Cape Henlopen fares well in field events with Toni Jones (long jump) and Dainesha Shockley (triple jump).
Dover also usually contends. The Senators' Kim Taylor was among the fastest in the 200 a year ago, and Samantha Kennard fared well in the long jump.
Lake Forest has a well-rounded team, beginning with distance runners Holly Wilson, Lena Ewing and Cari Collins, plus sprinters Neshia Giddens and Dayna Hinton. Stephanie Thompson will provide points in the weight events.
Milford has one of the area's better distance runners in senior Jessica Rivera.
Polytech will perform best in field events, starting with Alexis Bryan -- who competes in the triple jump, high jump, discus and shot put -- Jenna Lamb (pole vault) and Angelo Flores (discus). Middle distance runners include Krystal Morris, Caitlin Phillips and Lindsay Wheatley.
Seaford should do very well with a balanced squad, starting with Reagan Hastings (pole vault), Greta Knapp (triple jump), Caitlin McGroerty (3,200) and Samantha Fitzgerald (high jump).
Smyrna is paced by Whitney Wells in all jumping events and the sprints, hurdler Amanda Magri and distance runner Caki Mann.
Sussex Tech brings back a competitive high jumper in Tara Broemmel.
Independent Conference
Tatnall has a pair of middle-distance runners in Jenna Douglas and Stephanie Smith.
Tower Hill brings in one of the better freshman distance runners in Julie Pike. Tiffany Robinson and Kim West, among top performers at last year's Division II state meet, are recovering from injuries.
Nonconference
Caravel's program continues to grow behind middle-distance runner Shaunti Elrod and shot put/discus thrower Lisa Clifton.
Wilmington Christian will be strong at the middle and long distances, with Ariel Hausman, Laura Elliott and Lydia Singer, plus long jumper Kathy Ellis.
- Compiled by Buddy Hurlock.