The Ile Camera
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Three-time champ Romulus favored for 4th N-H title
By David Komer, Heritage Newspapers
PUBLISHED: May 11, 2007
The Romulus boys' track squad looks primed for a four-peat.
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The three-time defending champion Eagles enter Saturday's News-Herald Boys' Track and Field Invitational as heavy favorites.
On paper Romulus has the top seed in 10 different events, led by Mario Crawford (long jump, 400), Shane Wells (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 200) and Darryl White (100, second seed in the 200), who not only are some of the top athletes Downriver, but in the state.
Romulus Coach Joe Burgerino downplayed the pressure of expectations.
"It's always a good meet," he said. "Trenton and Woodhaven are always tough and have a lot of depth.
"One nice thing is that we'll be healthy. We haven't been (full-strength) in too many meets this year."
More interesting might be the competition among the next group of teams.
Trenton, Woodhaven and Roosevelt will all be in the mix if last week's Warrior Classic was any indication.
Last week Trenton took first followed by Roosevelt and Woodhaven, third.
Trenton boasts the top-seeded 3,200 team, the second-seeded 1,600 relay and both standout sprinter Kam Bouchard and distance runner Mike Dunn.
Roosevelt's Grant Paytor is one of the top throwers and some solid depth, while Woodhaven sprinter Jordan Miles and jumper Willie Brown are ones to watch.
"Romulus is hands-down the favorite, but I think there could be some surprises," Roosevelt Coach Dave Lustig said.
Possible candidates to watch include Carlson, Melvindale and Truman, the last of which has scintillating athletes like L'Shane Bynum and Junior Jones, but a startling lack of depth.
Grosse Ile's Lonnie Pugh is back to defend his 2006 discus title and enters the meet with season-best throw almost 50 feet better than the closest entrant. His competition in the shot put, however, should be much more intense.
"A lot of those guys throwing in the Mega have been at or close to 50 feet this year," Devils Coach John Bodner said. "It should be a pretty good test for him, especially with the regional right around the corner."
Distance specialist Jake Radcliffe and high jumper Jeremy Heyler give Grosse Ile additional promising shots at points Saturday.
Don't expect Riverview to match last spring's third-place finish, but the Pirates still pack a punch in the distance races. The same is true for Gabriel Richard, which will use the meet as a springboard for a Division 3 regional.
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