February 2, 2006
SPORTSReturning athletes lead MCC track team
One of the most successful sports teams over the years at Mesa Community College is ready to gear up for another season.
The Thunderbirds track and field team will return almost every athlete from the men’s side and most from the women’s. Head Coach Steve Jacobs hopes this will be a huge factor as they look to follow their second and third place finishes in the region last season with an equal or better finish this season.
According to Jacobs, who is entering his 18th season as a coach at MCC, “We have a solid team every year; when you have one of the best teams and bring everyone back you’re going to be decent.”
The Thunderbirds will look to their 4 x 400 and 4 x 100 relay teams on the men’s side to carry them this season, as both teams were national qualifiers last year. The 4 x 100 team is the third fastest in the country, but will have to deal with the loss of last year’s anchor.
Both of the men’s relay teams will be led by David Morrow, an Indiana native, as well as being one of the team’s top long jumpers and according to Coach Jacobs, a team leader. “He takes care of business and does what you want”.
Some other top athletes on the men’s side include Nick Adamson, a 6’8” high jumper, Logan Carton, one of the top pole vaulters in the country, and
Rodney Burnes, who runs on both the 4 x 400 and 4 x 100 relays. But the talent isn’t just on the men’s side.
The women have quality athletes of their own such as Michelle Amete, who is one the top shot putters and hammer throwers in the country.
Amete broke numerous records last year and represented the United States at the Pan Am Junior Track and Field Games in the summer.
The women, much like the men, have a strong and competitive 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relay team.
If the 2006 Thunderbirds track team is going to have success similar to last years team and other teams of the past they are going to need big season from all the afore mentioned athletes.
Their first outdoor meet is Feb. 24 at Paradise Valley Community College.
Volume 43, Issue 9. Today is
MCC hurdler Gena Petersen works on getting her ler
leg up during a recent track practice.
photos by Amanda Smith