Friday, April 02, 1999
BOYS TRACK PREVIEW
Godsey has 3,200 reasons to win third state title
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
Enquirer contributor
Lakota East distance runner Brian Godsey has had plenty of success the past three years.
Besides securing a scholarship from Miami, Godsey has claimed 1998 individual state championships in cross country and track.
Now Godsey, Cincinnati's only returning state track champion, seeks to become the school district's all-time winner of gold medals.
Theresa Hawkins is tied with Godsey for the most state titles. She won back-to-back state shot put championships in 1979 and '80 at Lakota before the school was split into East and West.
“There's still plenty to shoot for this season,” Godsey said. “The state record is 8:57 in the 3,200 and I'd like to break it.”
Lakota East coach Jason Lindsey has no doubts Godsey will be well prepared.”
“Brian came in ready to run this season,” Lindsey said. “He had some nice indoor races and is getting faster every race.”
The competition in the 3,200 will be tough with Clayton Northmont's Joe Barnes (second last year), Steve Padgett from La Salle, Mason Ward from Colerain and Columbus Eastmoor's Abraham Habte.
“I took three weeks off after the national cross country meet in December,” Godsey said. “I ran almost everyday starting in January and probably logged between 600 and 700 miles.”
Here's a look at Cincinnati's top 10 teams as voted by the coaches.
1. La Salle: “Team of the '90s.”
That tag has been pinned on the six-time defending boys poll track champion Lancers, ranked first in a vote that points to parity for this season.
Only eight of the 20 coaches voted for LaSalle. Nine of the top 10 teams received at least one first-place vote.
“The Big Red Express has its most talented senior class since 1995,” LaSalle coach Frank Russo said. “The Big Red Machine, Steve Padgett, had the seventh fastest indoor time in the 3,200 meters.”
Besides Padgett, the Lancers also return Dennis Fieglein (sprinter, long jump), Steve Esterkamp (high jump), Geoff Ziegler (shot put) and Derrick Butler (1600, 3200).
Nala Voeun, a transfer from Mount Healthy, gives the Lancers a standout 400 and 800 meter runner with Roger Bacon transfer Christian Beck expected to handle the high hurdles and 400 meters.
2. St. Xavier: A team loaded with 21 seniors, the Bombers will be strong in the distance races, improved in the sprints and competitive in the field events.
Besides Reade Kidd and Danny Fritz in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters, St. X has depth with Andy Weitmarschen, Matt Hils, Pete Mosher and Joe O'Brien.
The sprints and hurdles have been weaknesses in the past but not this season with Paul Kuhns, Michael Larkin, Kevin Hurley, Donald Jones and Dave Meyer threats in every race.
Kevin Witte and Mosher will handle the high jump with pole vault specialist Steve Weldon and Mike Magrino also expected to score.
3. Colerain: Coach Ron Russo will build the team around returning state placer Mason Ward and the state qualifying 3200 meter relay team of Ward, Justin Hussel, Chris Noelcke and Ryan Nickson.
“We will also be strong in the weights,” Russo said. “The jumps could be the surprise of the team.
Kris Flesch (discus), Dan Weismann (shot put), Matt Malcolm (shot put) and Mount Healthy transfer Blake Hill (discus) are expected to score well with Sean Vandivier, Hailey White and Jason Miller handling the high jump.
4. Moeller: The strength of the Crusaders will be in the field events with Michael Munoz (shot put), Drew Walter (pole vault), Bob Pfaffe (long jump) and Shawn Higgins (pole vault).
Regional qualifiers Dan Ryan (middle distances) and Kenny Dunbar (1600 meters), along with Tennel Bryant (sprints), will also score well for a Moeller team that lacks depth.
5. Elder: A victory over La Salle in the Turpin Relays may be an indication that the Panthers will be a factor this season.
“Last year we were young and only had six seniors,” coach Steve Spencer said. “This year we have 20 seniors and we'll have one of our best teams.”
Kevin Hunt (400), Chris Reis (1600), Mark Theobald (sprints), John Born (high jump, hurdles), Nick Nierlich (pole vaulter) and Ryan Young (hurdles and sprints) will be the top point producers.
“We'll be pretty good in the early season relays,” Spencer said. “But we must develop some top level individuals as the season winds down.”
6. Princeton: As in past seasons, the Vikings will be strong in the sprints, long jump and hurdles with Damian Jenkins, A.C. Carter and Perry McCall.
The middle distance and distance events will feature Ty Jackson, Antwan Morgan, Mike Cassidy, Jay Miller and Geoff Stover.
“We lack experience and have no one in the weights (shot put and discus),” coach Ken Meibers said.
7. Middletown: Although the Middies lack depth, coach Floyd Horton's has five outstanding athletes in Clint Planck (high jump), Mike Young (400, 800), Antwaun Rogers (sprints), Garlon Vinson (sprints) and Luke Schumacher (discus).
8. Winton Woods: The Warriors will be tough in the 400 and 1600 meter relays and in the sprints with Brandon Miree providing the leadership.
9. Lakota East: Besides Godsey, coach Jason Lindsey has nine additional returning letter winners including Chris Brandjord, Jerry Claunch, Tim Hufford, Derek Moerlein, Eric Reynolds, T.K. Richards, Andy Robbins, Rob Sharp and Joe Thoreson.
10. Hamilton: State qualifiers Mike Myers (100, 200) and Andy Mignery (discus) will be the mainstays of a Big Blue team that will be strong in the sprints but weak in the distance and hurdles.
RETURNING STATE PLACERS
Division I
100 Meters—Mike Myers, Hamilton, 11.16, sixth
1600 Meters—Mason Ward, Colerain, 4:15.42, third
3200 Meters—Brian Godsey, Lakota East, 9:16.15, first
Division II
400 Meters—Aaron Grant, Middletown Madison, 49.41, second
Division III
300 Meter Hurdles—Todd Heincke, Middletown Madison, 39.03, third
Sports Stories
Reds deal gets new player
Reds' new screen worthy of its own highlight reel
Oh, what a relief Reds' pen is
Both catchers will see action
Reds roster
Rangers 6, Reds 4
No prime time for Bengals
DeMarco adds line depth
