Titans' Boys Track Team Ready to Contend

The slow start to spring hasn't stopped the Tartan boys track and field team from practicing or competing as usual.

It has been business as usual as the Titans prepare for the 2011 season.

“For my distance guys, the weather means nothing,” coach Matt Duffee said. “We run regardless of the weather conditions. For the rest, we adapt. Outside one day, inside the next. We have not had any meet canceled as of yet. We can do a bit inside. We have drills and weightlifting that will benefit us later in the year.  Technique on those days inside.”

Strength and weight training will be beneficial to Tartan’s best events, throwing and jumps, Duffee said.

Being locked inside in a gym doesn’t deter the athletes for the throwing and jump events. Weather comes into play, especially wind, but Duffee said that will be beneficial to the Titans.

“Biggest asset is the pole vault, sprints and jumps,” he said. “We are very talented in the jumps, high and long, and in the shot put, but are working on our depth.”

Senior Appo Agbamu is one of the Titans’ throwers and he almost eclipsed a school record last season. He could break that this year and be a force all season in the shot put, Duffee said.

Ryan Webster, another senior, is expected to make his mark in pole vault, much like he did a year ago, he said.

There have been some surprises coming into the spring, but not surprising, is the jumps, he said.

“What has surprised us so far is Brandon Twiss in the high jump,” Duffee said.  “(He) has improved 4 inches over last year.  Also Keelon Brookins, a sophomore, has made great strides literally. His sprinting and jumping is stronger this year.”

Captains for this year are all seniors. Ryan Webster, Trey Johnsen, Sam Eastwood, Matt Johnson and Andrew Evenson will have the leadership duties for Tartan this season, which hopes to compete for a Classic Suburban Conference title and not letting rival North High School repeat as champions.

“They have some great athletes and coaches over there,” Duffee said. “I have a lot of respect for them, but this year will be different. I tell the team that it is their destiny.”

If Tartan is going to do that, team members will have to stay injury-free, motivated and keep the task at hand in mind.

“Stay healthy, keep on top of their studies for them to be able to participate,” Duffee said. “We need to keep up the intensity. We need to stay focused toward the goal. We get better as a team when we improve individually.”

The next big event for the Titans is the conference relays at Richfield High School on April 26 with all the Classic Suburban Conference teams competing.