Sunday, June 03, 2001
Kentucky boys track highlights
Bellevue third; Brossart fourth
By Ray Schaefer
Enquirer contributor
LEXINGTON — Bishop Brossart did not defend its Class A boys state title Saturday, and Bellevue took third, but the Mustangs and Tigers weren't upset.
Murray took an 83-49 win over Fort Knox at the University of Kentucky's Shively Track. Bellevue was third with 47 points, and Brossart scored 43.
Bellevue senior Matt Mayer said it was tough to figure out the reasons for Bellevue's finish.
“We just came off a great regional,” Mayer said. “We're all a team. You can't pick out a part, and I'm not going to do that.”
The Tigers finished fourth in the 800-meter relay. Mayer took second in the 800 and fourth in the 1,600, and Mayer, seniors Brandon Cain and Ryan Leopold and junior T.J. Schmitz finished second to Fort Knox in the 1,600 relay.
It was the last meet for Matt Mayer's father, Bellevue coach Marty Mayer, who retired after 23 seasons and Class A titles from 1991-93.
Father and son ran a last lap around the track and the two hugged at the finish line.
Brossart coach Brad Dunlevy thought finishing fourth was fine. He was trying to replace nine seniors from last year's champion team.
Brossart junior Paul Markus won the 800 (1:59.51) and finished second in the 1,600 to Kentucky Country Day's Alex Brey.
After the meet, Markus was making predictions about next year.
“We're a young team,” Markus said. “I think next year should be our year.”
Marty Mayer was not the only boys coach to retire. Covington Catholic's Jim Johnson retired after 31 years — 27 at Lloyd and the last four at CovCath.
Highlands senior Brent Grover ruled the Class AA throwing events.
Grover defended his discus title and added it to the shot put title he won Friday. His throw of 159 feet, 3 inches beat Andy Fryman of Mason County by nearly 6 feet.
“I threw a little better than last year,” Grover said of his discus title. “Shot put was nice, because it was (won) on the last throw.”
Grover's win helped Highlands to 50 points and a third-place finish in Class AA behind Paducah Tilghman's 137 and Lexington Catholic's 64. The Bluebirds finished third last year, and it was the fourth straight year they finished third or higher.
Highlands was just four points ahead of Boyle County going into the final event, the 1,600 relay. There, the quartet of senior Clem Fennell, sophomore Jerry Scarla to, junior Joe Stevenson and sophomore Josh Jager took third (3:33.13) behind Paducah Tilghman (3:31.65) and Edmonson County (3:32.94).
Highlands coach Dan Baker likes what he sees for next year.
“Maybe next year we can bring it home,” Baker said. “We've got 10 guys out of 12 coming back.”
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Kentucky boys track highlights
