Jeff Ditman brings football discipline to Gaither track
By Zack Peterson
Laker/Lutz News correspondent
This past season, the Gaither boys track team added a new addition to their roster — coach Jeff Ditman, who spent the fall coaching the Cowboys offensive line on the football field.
“I feel that from football I take a sense of discipline,” Ditman said. “It’s all about the little things like starting on time. The kids know what’s expected of them and that’s important.”
With the expectation of a Class 4A-District 6 championship in mind, the team has ramped up their workouts according to the multi-talented athlete Shug Oyegunle, who was also Gaither’s starting quarterback this season.
“We’ve got a young team that’s looking good,” said Oyegunle, a sophomore. “Everyday we’ve working hard, pushing it with our all and giving 100 percent.”
To claim a district title, the Cowboys will have to contend with the reigning champion Plant and runner-up Chamberlain. Gaither finished fifth in the district meet last year, ahead of only northern Hillsborough County Rival Freedom.
For Ditman though, commanding this team looks to be an exciting and different experience.
“Track’s a different animal,” Ditman said. “With football, everything can be very compartmentalized. Here, there are multiple scenarios. It’s not all black and white.”
Strength is key for Cowboys
For coach Caitlin Clay and the Gaither girls track program, the emphasis in the off-season has primarily been on muscular training.
“It’s a building year, but we’ve got some great sprinters and jumpers who can lead the team,” Clay said. “We’ve also incorporated time in the weight room to build muscle strength.”
Last year the Cowboys finished fifth in 4A-6. Wharton was the cream of the crop last season, taking 250 points in the district meet. The Wildcats closest competition was Alonso, which posted 114.
Gaither put up 51 points, but did send its 4×800 team to the regional meet as well as Kiana Bryant in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash; Clay wants to replicate the results.
Along with the extra weight training came the extra coaching to bring Clay some relief.
“Now that we’ve split up the coaches, I can work more closely with the distance group while they focus on their particular area of strength,” Clay explained.
Warriors look to build on cross country success
The Steinbrenner boys track team is still a very young program in a state of building, but its solid core of middle and long distance runners has the Warriors expecting success in year two.
Those longer distance runners mainly come from the Steinbrenner cross country team that finished as the Class 2A state runner-up this year. One of those who competed in the cross country final is senior Dan Sarver.
“We’re a lot better already,” Sarver said. “Within the first race, almost everyone broke their PR’s [personal records] from last year.”
The Warriors squad finished ninth in the 11-team Class 2A-District 9, but did send its 4×800 meter relay team to regionals. Sarver was a member of that foursome that went to regionals, along with his twin brother Matt, and sophomores Matt Magee and Oliver Ortiz.
According to Sarver, with a “strong, young group of runners looking to step up,” anything is possible for the team, which aspires to be a strong factor in the district tournament at the end of the season.
After defeating Gaither with a score of 104-25 Feb. 23, they are off on the right path.
Steinbrenner takes aim at district title
Lead by Ladd Baldwin, the Steinbrenner girls track team strives to pick up where it left off last year and work their way to a district championship.
“We were runner-up last year and 90 percent of our team is back this year,” Baldwin said. “We have some nice additions and a good variety of athletes.”
The Warriors competes in 2A-9, which includes teams like Wesley Chapel, Pasco and the defending district champion Jesuit. To cope with last year’s near district title, the Warriors expanded its roster to boost their depth.
“The way to win is in the depth,” Baldwin said. “Your one, two and three runners are all important, but so are your four, five and six runners who are also scoring points.”
With a bigger team, Baldwin believes the team can do great things.
