By Kyle LoJacono
Steinbrenner boys track and field took runner-up honors at the Western Conference American Division meet March 26 at Jefferson, the fourth-year program’s best finish at the event.
The Warriors led by as many as 14, but the host took a late lead to win 129 to 121. Gaither finished fifth with 67 points at the nine-team event.
Seniors Tyler Lima and Chris Cerreta gave Steinbrenner a late push by placing first and sixth in the 3,200 meters, respectively, to close the deficit to five going into the 4×400-meter relay, the last event of the day.
The Dragons dashed any hopes of a conference crown by taking second in the 4×400.
First-year Warriors coach Mike Bosco said he was pleased with his athletes.
“All of our guys have bought into our program and what we’re trying to do,” Bosco said. “Our distance program with coach (Bobby) McConnell and coach (Bob) Ennis is phenomenal, and coach (Cedric) Roberts, coach (Dean) Robertson and myself have been working to get our sprinters and our hurdlers to that level. Our field events have improved. We’ve tried to build that toughness in our kids, and they showed it today.”
Lima battled through the flu to claim his first individual conference title (10 minutes, 6.42 seconds). He generally competes in the 1,600 and 4×800, but limited himself to the 3,200 with the hopes of qualifying for the Hillsborough County championships.
“I couldn’t go all out,” Tyler said. “I took the first mile slow, and when I saw I could win I just went for it.”
Fellow Warrior Matt Magee won the 1,600 (4:41.76). The senior was followed by teammates Tanner Biles and Zach Lima, Tyler’s twin, in second and third place, respectively.
“We really wanted all of us to advance, so to get one, two, three is great,” Magee said. “We really try to push each other, and I think that helps us on the track.”
The trio ran behind the leaders before exploding together on the final lap, which helped block a strong wind that was steady all day.
“We did not want to be the ones running into that the whole time,” Magee said.
Logan McKnight captured gold in the shot put with a toss of 46-feet, 5-inches, breaking his own program record. The senior is in his first season with the squad after previously playing baseball during the spring.
“I had hopes and dreams that I could do this after I quit the baseball team,” McKnight said. “I’ve practiced hard every day, and I think I’m still getting better every week. … Hopefully next week I’ll get 50.”
Gaither’s Matt Williams and Samson Moore each captured a conference track title.
Williams claimed the 300 hurdles (42.10) while placing second in the 110 hurdles (15.65).
“I thought I could win the 300, but I never thought I’d take second in the 110s,” said Williams with a laugh. “I hate the 110s. I hate it, so I’m surprised.”
Moore, a sophomore, won the 200 (22.26).
“I’m really happy to win this,” Moore said. “I looked at the times coming in, and I thought if I ran a good race I could come up with a win.”
Cowboys pole vaulter Ryan Hagen also won a championship (11-06).
The Steinbrenner girls took third place by earning 85 points, 94 behind champion Plant. Gaither was fourth (66).
Cowboys senior Kiana Bryant claimed a pair of championships, taking first in the 100 (12.39) in consecutive years and winning the 200 (25.41). Her goal was to win the 100, but was surprised to beat out Sickles’ Dominique Williams in the 200.
“I thought I could stay with her,” Bryant said. “I’ve never beaten her before, and that made me really happy. … I just stayed with her until the final 100, and then I kicked it in.”
Jennifer Kingsley added to Gaither’s title count by winning the 100 hurdles (16.41) while taking second in the 300 hurdles (51.51).
The senior was second in the 100 hurdles prelims after coming in seeded first.
“I got a little thrown off by this wind,” Kingsley said. “When I heard I was second after prelims I knew I had to dig in and make it happen.”
Warriors senior Jessica Brewer, a state qualifier and district champion in the long jump last year, was limited by a right Achilles tendon injury suffered in the Charles Johnson Invitational early this season.
Brewer pulled out of the triple jump after the injury limited her in the long jump to ninth place and 14-01.25, which is about two feet less than her seed, but she fought through to run leadoff of the 4×100.
“It doesn’t hurt when I run, just when I push off to jump,” Brewer said. She added, “I didn’t want to let my team down and not run.”
The relay advanced by placing fourth (52.59).
The top four in every event at the three conference meets, plus four wildcards, advance to the county championships April 2 at Jefferson.
—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker
