At Jeff-Co stadium, the 2012 Track state qualifiers ran in hopes of making it to the finals after a great season.
Photo by Kiera Classen
On May 11th and 12th, the Thomas Jefferson track team competed in the city tournament at All City Stadium, and as a result the boys took 4th overall, five people qualified for state, and three received honorable mention.
At City the boys took 4th overall for all the open events. The five people who qualified for state for the 2012 track season are: Abaijah Cannonier for the 100, 200, 4 x 1 and 4 x 2, Nate Brewer for the 200, 4 x 1, and 4 x 2, Raycell Rush for 4 x 1 and 4 x 2, Latrell McLennan for 4 x 1 and 4 x 1 and Vanessa Gillespie for the 100 and long jump. “Qualifying for state was a great honor, beating the competition and working really hard, all I have to say is that track takes a lot of heart,” said Cannonier, who also got a personal best record, 22.5 seconds, for the 200-meter dash.
This year TJ also had three honorable mentions. All three were either really close to qualifying or a city champ that doesn’t have a state level. Kierra Classen, was the city champ for disc throwing and there will be no state competition for this event. Teyowna Debose and Abraham Woldu were the two who had the closest times to the runner ahead of them who qualified. “This year was a great year, and everyone really worked hard. We’re hoping that the people who qualified for state go on to regionals and hope it goes as great next season, as well,” said Coach Woody Bonner.
The spring track season came to an end on Saturday, May 18th when the seven people who qualified for state came in just seconds short of making it to finals after an outstanding season of hard work and determination.
This year Abaijah Cannonier, Latrell McLennan, Nate Brewer, Raycell Rush, Abraham Woldu and Vannessa Gillespie all competed at the state level on May 16th,17th and 18th at Jeffco Stadium against other track runners from various schools who qualified for state as well, in hopes of making it to the Finals. They competed in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 4 x 1, 4 x 2, and the long jump. “State was fun and we all worked hard to make it to finals, but competition was a little tough at state,” said Cannonier, who qualified for the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 4 x 1 and the 4 x 2.
Although this year no one qualified for finals, the Track season had a year to remember. “This year our track team fought and we all worked hard, and it was apparent that everyone wanted to qualify for state. I’m really proud of 2012 Track team,” said Coach Woody Bonner, who talks about how great this season was for everybody, including the coaches. In all, four people qualified for state with two reserves, various personal records throughout the season were set, and the team had three honorable mentions. “To summarize the season in two words, I would say: dedicated runners,” added Bonner.
The TJ Coaches encourage next years runners to keep running this summer and come to preseason workouts. For more information contact Coach Bonner.
