Pirates' Dooley looks to finish up strong

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Pirates' Dooley looks to finish up strong

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

AUSTIN — Joe Dooley probably could have set up a hotel room in Austin last year.

After all, the Deweyville senior made it to the Class 2A State Track & Field Championships the last two years.

Well, make it three straight.

Dooley, who has dominated the Southeast Texas track scene in the Class 2A distance races for quite some time now, will compete in both the 800 meters and the 1,600 meters this evening at the UIL State Track Meet.

“One thing for sure, I’m got going to be nervous at all,†said Dooley. “The crowd is always huge, I saw that as a sophomore. I’ve matured a lot since then. I’m a graduated senior now, so this year it’s really going to be fun.â€

Dooley has turned in Southeast Texas leading times in both the 800 (1:59.16) and the 1,600 (4:33.72) this season.

At regionals, he won the 800 in 2:00.6 and was second in the 1,600 at 4:39.00.

As a junior, Dooley brought home a bronze medal in the 800 with a career-best time of 1:57.62. As a sophomore Dooley was sixth at state in the 1,600, running a 4:35.76.

“My goal all year was to get to state again,†said Dooley. “To do it three years in a row is special but to do it in two events as a senior is great.â€

Dooley will run the 800 tonight at 6:30 p.m. and the 1,600 at 8:55 p.m.

Dooley is facing one major obstacle, major soreness in his right knee.

“My biggest concern going in will be my conditioning,†said Dooley. “My knee has been giving me problems and I rested a couple weeks and just started to run a little bit this week. I’m really focusing hard in the 800 meters, trying to get around that 1:57 or 1:56 mark. The 1,600 is going to be tough, just because of where my conditioning is at. Missing nearly two weeks of workouts is going to make that race tough.â€

Dooley eagerly awaits the challenges Austin brings.

“I’m just going to go out there and go for a medal,†Dooley said. “My confidence level is pretty high. Anything can happen at the state track meet. I’ll be able to feel all the adrenaline early and then go out and give it all that I have.â€

[Cowboy1981]

Dooley looked like he had not ran in a month when he ran the 800m then was a no show for the mile