By Kyle LoJacono
The Wiregrass Ranch boys and girls track and field teams dominated almost every meet they entered this year, including the Class 3A-District 7 event April 21.
The Bulls were the meet’s host and both squads claimed team district championships. For the girls it was their third straight district crown and the first for the boys.
“It says a lot about these young ladies,” said second-year Bulls girls coach Don Howard. “We have a core of seniors who have been here for all those district titles and we’ve got some great underclassmen to contribute to the team as well. That combination goes a long way.”
The Wiregrass Ranch girls scored 176.5 points, 83.5 more than second place Mitchell, and had three event titles. The boys posted 137 points to second place Ridgewood’s 106.5 and can boast eight event championships.
Boys coach Phil Kerr is in his first year as coach and will not accept any praise for the program’s first title.
“I believe in the program I’ve put in place, but all the credit goes to the kids for putting in the work,” Kerr said. “I just can’t say enough about them and I hope they see what hard work can do. It paid off in their case.
“To a person they didn’t care if they win the event because they wanted to win for the team,” Kerr continued. “We had that motto all year. That was our goal on the first day to win the first title for the program. Nothing else was good enough.”
One of the highlights for the boys came in the 1,600 meter. The Bulls swept the top four spots, qualifying them all to the regional meet. Senior Josh Reilly took the crown in 4:34.30, followed by Logan Selzer, Ryan Pulsifer and Tyler Mattera.
“It couldn’t have ended any better,” Reilly said. “It’s the best feeling in the world to have three of my best friends going with me to regionals in the same event.”
Sophomore Travis Manecke also shined, recording a personal best in winning the shot put with a toss of 50-7. He also won the discus district crown with a 143-02.
“I really wanted to break 50 feet in the shot, but I wasn’t expecting to get it,” said Manecke, who is in his first year on the team. “I was constantly at 44 feet and then I come out and throw 50 twice in districts. It’s special.”
Junior Jamel Nunez took home the 200 meter boys championship in 22.98 seconds, edging Gulf’s R.J. O’Conner by 0.25 seconds. He will be competing in regionals for the first time, but mentioned there was no shock of the competition level in districts.
“I was talking to a couple of my teammates and it’s really like another day at practice,” Nunez said. “We run like this every day and push ourselves to this level.”
For the girls, sophomore Nikita Shah won the 3,200 meter in 12:12.36 showing she is finally close to 100 percent.
“Last year I got second place at regionals, but I’ve been anemic all season this year,” Shah said. “I found that out about five weeks ago. It’s been tough to train through that and it feels like my training is behind what I should be at this time of year. I’m behind, but I’m hoping to get at least fourth in regionals to get to states.”
Shah has been taking iron supplements the last five weeks and is over the setback now.
“I haven’t broken 12 minutes yet this year in the 3,200 (meter) and last year I was consistently under 12,” Shah said. “Hopefully I can turn that around in regionals.”
Shah’s teammate Ariel Grey took second in the 3,200 meter and also runner-up in the 1,600. Consistent scoring in the distance, sprint and field events made the Bulls the runaway girls champion.
“I feel really happy for our whole team,” Shah said. “We have a solid team and that’s what Wiregrass track is all about. Not just in a few events, but all around.”
Both Howard and Kerr received ice water showers out of a cooler from their teams after the meet.
“It’s never felt better,” Kerr said. “I wasn’t expecting that and it’s an amazing feeling.”
All athletes who finish in the top four of any event qualified for the regional meet at Harmony on Thursday, April 28 at 1 p.m.
