Thomas, Bean highlight Battlin' Bear Relays

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Thomas, Bean highlight Battlin' Bear Relays

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

LITTLE CYPRESS — It was a fine day for athletes across Southeast Texas in what was one of the best Battlin’ Bear Relays Saturday afternoon at LC-M High School.

Ten new area-best marks were set at the 14th annual event, with several Orange County athletes involved in the mix.

LC-M senior distance runner Drew Bean capped off his final official race on his home turf, running the 1,600 meters in a swift time of 4:22.56, besting his previous area-best of 4:24.61.

“I felt really strong throughout,†Bean said. “It was windy conditions but I felt really great all the way through. It’s still tough because I’m basically still just running against the clock with no one really pushing me. I’m just preparing myself hard for the Texas Relays that are coming up soon and just trying to stay in the best condition that I can.â€

West Orange-Stark produced a new local leader in the fastest race at a meet as Mustang senior Earl Thomas sprinted to a best mark of 10.53 seconds, besting Bridge City’s Cody Mills, who has run a 10.62. It was the first time Thomas, who anchors the Mustangs’ three powerful relays, ever ran the 100 competitively in high school.

“It felt good to get my feet wet in this event,†Thomas said. “I think a lot of people around have been second-guessing my speed, so I felt like I had something to prove.â€

“Are you kidding me, the kid comes out here and runs a 10.53 without running it all year,†said Mustang head track coach Toby Foreman. “He never ceases to amaze me.â€

WO-S swept all three relay events.

The Mustang 400 relay team of Thomas, Dominique Rhodes, Calvin Carter and Josh Gloston won with a time of 42.78. The 800 relay unit consisting of Rhodes, Carter, Seth Thomas and Ronnie Dennis claimed first with a 1:33.02 and the 1,600-meter relay unit of Thomas, Josh Gloston, Jerald Gloston and Nick Reed was first with a 3:28.97.

Foreman had to adjust his relay teams a little with an injury to senior standout Jacoby Franks but the Mustangs passed with flying colors Saturday.

“Calvin Carter, what else can I say about that sophomore, he had a tremendous day stepping in on the relays,†Foreman said. “To top it off, he wins the 200 too.â€

Carter won the 200 in 22.90.

The Lady Mustangs had plenty to hoot about as well in setting two area marks. Hannah Mobley blistered the track in the 200, running a 26.51, surpassing Silsbee’s Chasity Gilder, who had run a 27.08. The 800-meter relay unit of Mobley, Vanquanisha Jordan, Dominique Riggs and Brittney Scott set a new best in the 800-meter relay with a time of 1:46.83. The same quartet also ran a 50.87 to take the 400-meter relay.

That capped off a solid day for Jordan, who was also first in the long jump (17-2 1/2), second in the triple jump (32-6) and second in the 200 meters (27.60).

“I felt so great after the long jump,†Jordan explained. “I knew I could hit 17 feet and I was so disappointed because by best jump was 16-4 going into the last jump. But on the last one, I just nailed it.â€

LC-M notched a new area leader in the high jump. Senior Phillip Richard, in his first track meet of the season, high jumped 6-4, surpassing Vidor’s Jared Williams, who had gone 6-2 this season.

Vidor’s Jared Parker upped his 13-6 area mark in the pole vault four inches by going 14 feet. Nederland Lady Bulldog Markee Johnson set a new standard in the girls pole vault with a nine-foot effort.

Nederland’s Brock Walker was double-trouble as the Bulldog standout hurdler topped his previous area-best in both the 110-meter hurdles (14.00) and the 300-meter hurdles (40.05) Nederland teammate Phillip Rogers got lower on his area-best in the 800 meters with a sparkling 1:58.26.

Nederland captured both the boys and girls team crowns. The Lady Bulldogs piled up 164 1/2 points, easily outdistancing East Chambers (107) and WO-S (105). The Bulldog boys tallied 158 points with WO-S (138) taking second and LC-M (111) third.

LC-M big man David Sicktich tallied 18 points for his team, nabbing first in the discus (141-8 1/4) and second in the shot put (42-6 1/2).

The Mustangs received a first-place finish from Reed in the 400 meters (51.53) and Adrian Mims in the shot put (47-4).

The next area track meet will be this Friday with Orangefield hosting the 33rd annual Bobcat Relays.