BC track units roll at Pirate Relays

[KFDM COOP]

BC track units roll at Pirate Relays

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

VIDOR — It was certainly a “red-letter day†at the 12th annual Vidor Pirate Relays Friday.

Both Bridge City track programs strutted their stuff in what turned out to be a smashing day at Pirate Stadium. There were nine new Southeast Texas bests accomplished on a nice, cool day.

The Cardinal boys captured first place in the team standings, nipping Silsbee. The Cardinals racked up 138 points, edging the Tigers, who finished with 133 points.

The Lady Cardinals finished a solid third with 116.5 points but dominated the field event portion as senior Christina Jaques won three events. Silsbee claimed first in the team standings with 127.5 points, nipping the Nederland Lady Bulldogs (126.5) by a single point.

With the Cardinals getting a day off from the baseball field, Cardinal senior Johnny Dishon put on a display.

Dishon, who has signed to play baseball at Louisiana State University, uncorked a remarkable triple jump leap of 44 feet, 9 1/2 inches, surpassing his previous area best of 44-3 3/4. He led in the long jump with an effort of 21-11 but Silsbee’s Terrance McCarter, on the last jump in the competition, sailed 22-6 1/2 to nab first place.

Dishon also took a crack at the 100 and 200 meters. He cruised in the 200, winning it in 22.37 seconds and took second behind teammate Cody Mills (10.62) in the 100 with a 10.76. Mills’ time puts him at the top of the area list once again.

“It felt good to come out here today and post some pretty good times,†Dishon said. “I knew it was going to be tough to beat Cody because he can fly and he gets better each week. I thought I had the long jump but that SiIsbee kid (McCarter) was amazing. He has such great form.â€

Jaques claimed gold in the high jump (5-0), long jump (15-9 3/4) and in the triple jump (35-0 1/2), where she nabbed an area-best mark. Then, one of Orange County’s finest athletes split the town of Vidor to roam centerfield for the Lady Cardinals in a District 21-3A softball game at Jasper.

“Christina is just one of those natural athletes,†said Lady Cardinals head coach Karen Bozeman. “If she came out every day and worked on all of the events, she would be even better. But, she’s just a tough athlete that does everything well. She’s all-district in volleyball and softball and is a great basketball player too.â€

Lady Cardinal junior Brittany James shined as well, setting a new area standard in the pole vault with an effort of 8-6. She also placed second in both the 100 meters (12.88) and the 200 meters (27.43), barely getting nipped at the tape by Silsbee’s Patricia Johnson in the 100 and Lady Tiger Chasity Gilder, who set a new area standard at 27.08 in the 200. Just last week, James set a new school-record in the 100 with a time of 12.3.

“I really felt good after the pole vault,†James said. “That’s one event where I know I can improve. Next time out, I really think I can get nine feet. In the sprints, I thought I could’ve been a little faster but I did my best. I like competition and I’m looking forward to matching up with the two Silsbee girls again at the district meet.â€

Little Cypress-Mauriceville distance man Drew Bean took it easy on the competition, sort of. Bean, who leads the area in both the 3,200 (9:27.38) and the 1,600 (4:24.61) coasted in both races Friday, claiming the 3,200 in 10:01.53 and the 1,600 in 4:27.48. Deweyville’s Joe Dooley placed a superb second in the 1,600 with a 4:53.55.

“Today wasn’t my best effort, that’s for sure,†Bean said. “I’m kinda pacing myself at this point of the season. I was really pushing it in the 1,600 but sometimes it gets tough racing against the clock. Next week, I’ll work out hard and also enjoy spring break and then I look forward to coming back strong at the Bear Relays in a couple weeks.â€

Other area best marks at the meet on the boys side included Silsbee’s Ahmad Jones in the shot put (51-0); and Nederland’s Phillip Rogers in the 800 meters (2:01.33). On the girls’ end, Nederland’s Chelsea Yaws knocked off almost 12 seconds off her area-best mark by running a 5:32.62.

Orange County had several outstanding performances throughout the day.

LC-M’s David Sketch continues to shine in the discus, winning Friday with a 134-2 1/2 effort. Vidor’s Jared Williamson claimed the high jump with leap of 6-2.

On the girls side, Orangefield’s Laura Riddick won the 100-meter hurdles in 16.20 and was second in the 300-meter hurdles with a 52.76. Bridge City’s Erica Garza nabbed gold in the 3,200 meters with a time of 12:41.97.