Metro Conference Championships Sprint Picks
Lots Of Metro Sprint Talent Should Provide For A Great Track Meet
By Will Cummings
myHitNews.com
- Who shall be crowned “King of the Metro”?
Man, oh man! The Metro Conference Track & Field Championships boys’ 100, 200 and 400 meter sprint races and the 400 and 1600 relays at Harry A. Burke Stadium will involve some straight out old-fashioned O.K. Corral type shootouts to determine who will be crowned “King of the Metro” in each event.
Below are the top contenders for the boys sprint races along with some analysis and my picks to win the events–none of which I feel too comfortable with:
| METRO CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS100 Meter Contenders |
| Kohlman Adema-Schulte, Millard West |
| As the reigning Metro 100 meter champ and All-Class 100 and 200 Meter State Champion, he is the odds-on favorite to win the 100 meter. However, the caveat to one predicting an Adema-Schulte victory is that rumors surfaced prior to track season that he was injured. Subsequently, he started the season out very slowly getting beat often and turning in less than stellar times, which gives some credence to all the gossip of him suffering from a sports hernia. Fortunately, Adema-Schulte did mange to post a pretty good 10.72 100 meter time and a 22.18 200 at the Norfolk Invitational a couple of weeks ago. So maybe he is ready—or healed enough– to do some business at the Metro Championships. If not, there are several other prime candidates that will give him a ride for his money–or who will just flat out smoke Adema-Schulte like some bad piece of barbecue on the 4th of July—even if he is 100% healthy! |
| Michael Burrus, Papillion-La Vista South |
| Without a doubt the season’s performance leader odds-on favorite to win the Metro 100, Burrus has won every 100 he has entered this year and turned in some very impressive times to boot—his best being 10.58. The question that will be answered at this year’s Metro Championships and beyond : “Is Burrus a big time player; can he win the big events? |
| Radell Nared, North |
| This Omaha North standout junior has emerged from an injury burdened sophomore season to turn in some pretty impressive times this year. Nared is a very relaxed sprinter that seems to have something extra lurking inside his engine. If he is focused and determined enough and he can manage to pump out that little hidden extra somethin’ somethin’– he could become the surprise of the meet. |
| Jake Marousek, Burke |
| Poor starts—not speed—is Marousek’s downfall in the 100. Burrus has beaten him consistently and convincingly in this event like Marousek beats Burrus in the 200. But if Marousek is entered and he figures out his start—don’t count him out of the hunt in this race. |
| Thomas Hodges, North |
| Can the only Class A sophomore to make it to last year’s state finals in both the 100 and 200 bring up his game to match the occasion? He will need to up the ante just to out duel his teammate Nared, who seems to be getting the better of him as of late. Just as good as Nared, Hodges will need to find a way to lose another step or two in order to pull off this one. Nonetheless, Omaha North should be set to produce some historic 400 relay times as both Hodges and Nared have another season left together. |
| Winner: Michael Burrus |
| METRO CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS200 Meter Contenders |
| Marousek, Burke |
| He is the performance leader odds-on favorite to win this event. Marousek has been more consistent than any other Class A performer this year, while posting its fastest times. Even though he finished third to eventual winner Adema-Schulte in last year’s Class A state finals, Marousek is much stronger and more relaxed down the home stretch than he was last season. But funny things happen in big meets—like nerves. |
| Stephon Washington, Burke |
| Washington is the only one to beat Marousek in the 200 this year—he ran a 22.18 to do it. But was it a fluke—maybe Marousek didn’t take the threat serious enough? Or maybe we are just looking at one of those rare athletes that has the ability to impose his will on any event he enters. Leave no doubt about it “If Washington is in it; he can win it!” |
| Adema-Schulte, Millard West |
| Common sense would lend one to pick the reigning Nebraska All-Class 200 meter champion to win this event, but based on the injury rumor thing and his performances so far this year and the competition he will face—he is not my favorite to wear this crown. To win the 200 meter against this year’s very strong competition it will take nothing less than 100% health. if Adema-Schulte enters the 200 at 100% he may be able to pull out the victory. |
| Nared, North |
| Like I said in the 100—he will need to unleash his reserves to beat out the above competition. Nared, if he is “on” that day and the others are even a little bit “off,” stands a good chance to walk away with some 200 gold. |
| Hodges, North |
| He will need to relax and create–smoother–arm movement and leg lift down the stretch to pull this victory out. |
| Burrus, Papillion-La Vista South |
| Does not seem to be his race, but with his speed anything is possible, although it would be quite a surprise to see him capture this crown. |
| Winner: Jake Marousek |
| METRO CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS400 Meter Contenders |
| Washington, Burke |
| He may not be the odds-on favorite season performance leader to win the 400–with his only open 400 time being nearly a full second off the best time this year, but he is my favorite to win an event that above speed takes heart to win. If Washington is entered and he is healthy—he wins. It would take a Lukas Hulett type of 400 meter performer to hold off or to catch a healthy Washington down the home stretch—there are no Hulett type 400 meter runners in the state at this time. |
| Zach Vickers, Millard South |
| He holds the season’s best time at 49.20, but has not been very consistent in running sub-fifty second 400s. He will need to pull out his entire arsenal to win this event. In his favor, he has already proven he is capable of running a low enough time to win the crown. |
| Brandon White, Westside |
| The Warrrior will have a chance to prove if his transfer from Burke to Westside was worth the move. One thing for sure, if Burke still had him they would be a lock to win the state’s 1600 relay all-class gold.White has as good a chance to win this race as any of the top dogs mentioned. |
| Matt Holst, Burke |
| Thus far he is a one hit wonder. But if he can manage to find the gear that propelled him to a Papillion-La Vista South Invite meet winning time of 49.70—look out!. He is the dark horse in this event and sometimes they win like 50:1 Derby winner Mine That Bird did this past weekend. |
| Chase Rasmussen, Papillon |
| He is one of only a handful of boys from across the state who have turned in sub fifty 400s. He is big and fast too,. but does this Monarch have what it takes to be a champion. |
| Anyone, Out Of The Blue |
| That’s right. This race is so wide open this year that someone who may never have run this event or who ran it but did not take it seriously could enter this event and win–if they give it all they have.. |
| Winner:Stephon Washington (if entered) |
400 Relay
Burke, Central, Papillion-La Vista South, Papillion, or North, anyone of these teams is capable of winning this event.
This 400 Relay is a show stopper: It will be a great race; the outcome decided by two factors: 1.Team health. 2. Exchanges. The most healthy team on that day that has the best exchanges will win this event. Right now, North looks to be leading the pack with its Class A leading time of 42.45. But that doesn’t help me to decide who to pick as the winner–it’s just too close to call.
1600 Relay
Another great relay competition: Westside,Burke,North and Millard West are the front runners to win this race. The eventual winner will come down to the same 2 factors I mentioned in the 400 relay plus–who will be the actual members on the relay. However, if Burke puts their best team out there, I have to give them the edge in this contest.
May 4, 2009 @ 6:55 pm
Schulte is ready to take all sprinters.
May 11, 2009 @ 9:53 pm
Central holds the 400m relay time of 42.18 and North is 42.5 lets not forget Omaha Central.
May 11, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
Lets not forget Omaha Central again in the 1600m relay also, they did get 3rd in the Metro Conference.