SPRING SPORTS 2009: Tribe Thinclads Strive to Keep Tradition Strong
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Even with a long and proud tradition that stretches back for decades and decades, Du Quoin High School's Boys Track and Field program would be hard pressed to duplicate the success its enjoyed the last three seasons.
The Indians have recorded three straight top 10 finishes in the Class A State team finals, including a runner-up showing two springs ago.
During that span, some 15 Du Quoin athletes earned All-State honors with four claiming individual state championships.
As the 2009 outdoor season approaches, Du Quoin again has the building blocks in place for another solid squad.
"We've just been blessed with some great, great athletes the past few seasons," veteran coach Al Martin said. "And we've lost the type of kids to graduation that you can't really replace. "
On paper, the graduation losses seem insurmountable.
Two-time state Pole Vault champion Cody Doerflein is now starring at SIU-Carbondale.
Doerflein was also a standout jumper. Multi-state medal winners Tony Bradley, Arthur Smith and Trey Thompson are gone, along with thrower Cory Peters.
"We again have very good numbers (52 varsity athletes) and will look to pick up points where we can," Martin said. "I am confident we can put together some very good relays and be strong in several individual events."
Three returning all-state performers should anchor Martin's squad, which opens at Sparta next Tuesday.
Senior Trevor Hoffman is back to compete in middle distance, relays sprints and jumping events. Younger brother Karson, just a sophomore, is another versatile performer. Junior David Rose joined the two Hoffman's on Du Quoin's 4x200 meter relay team on the medalist stand at state. Rose will high jump and likely run on three sprint relays.
"Just finding the best events for Karson and Trevor Hoffman will be a challenge for us," admits Martin. "They both can run, jump, hurdle and are outstanding high school track athletes. Kids like David Rose, Jamor Reed (jr., sprints, relays), Blake Hester (sr., hurdles, sprints, relays), Kyle Webb (jr., hurdles, jumps) and David Gayton (jr., relays, sprints) give us a lot of depth."
Juniors Marcus Clarry (middle distance), Robbie Wagner (distance), Jonathon Tennyson (weights) and Alex Heape (weights) are also showing improvement.
Sophomores Brock Morgenstern (weights), Chaz Bland (hurdles, Pole Vault, sprints), James Williams (middle distance), Kenny Kabat (jumps) and Luchee Porter (sprints) are also being counted on for varsity points.
Martin has a "solid' freshman class totalling 18 that provide plenty of future promise.
Seniors Dalton Morgan (jumps, weights), Brandon Spain (weights) and A.J. Hill (hurdles, relays) have returned to track and offer even more depth.
I feel pretty good about this group," Martin said. "They've been working hard all winter and continue to show improvement. We just want to keep getting better as the season goes on."
2009 Du Quoin Boys Track Schedule
Indoor
March 14-@ SIU Indoor
March 21-@ EIU Indoor
Outdoor
March 24-@ Sparta, 4:00
April 4¬-Benton Spring Fling, 9:00
April 7-Benton Frosh Invite, 4:00
April 9-SIU-C Quad, 4:00
April 15-Sesser-Valier Relays, 3:30
April 22-Du Quoin Frosh-Soph Relays, 3:30
April 24-Sparta Invite, 4:00
April 28-West Frankfort Invite, 4:00
April 30-Benton Varsity Relays, 4:00
May 2-Herrin Invite, 9:00
May 6-Benton Invite, 4:00
May 8-Du Quoin Frosh-Soph Classic, 3:30
May 9-Harrisburg Invite, 10:00
May 11-SIRR F/S @ Nashville, TBA
May 12-Christopher Invite, 4:00
May 14-SIRR Varsity @ W. Frankfort, TBA
May 18-Nashville Invite, 4:00
May 22-IHSA Sectional @ Chester, TBA
May 25-Meet of Champions at SIU, TBA
May 29-30-Class 1A State Finals, Charleston