This only happens once a year
Cameron Turner Photo
Norwich’s boys 4x100m relay team with legit shot at DII state title
Norwich’s boys 4x100m relay team with legit shot at states
NORWICH – Four student-athletes, all at different stages of their athletic careers in high school Track and Field. Together, they have formed a formidable force in the ever-exhilarating boys 4x100m relay race.
A brotherhood, the four NHS sprinters have grown together over the 2017 season – maturing and perfecting their craft – in the shape of a record-breaking, state-bound relay team.
That 2017 relay team is made up of freshman David Berger, sophomore Eric Conant, junior Zack Race, and senior Ky’sawn Veale.
“Each runner has their own job. David needs to get out of the blocks in a hurry and not give up any ground. He’s been amazing all year. I don’t think we’ve ever been more than a meter behind after the first curve and some schools have some very fast runners on that first leg. Zack’s job is to get that baton and create a cushion, which he always has. Zack is a silent assassin. He doesn’t say much, but once he gets the stick, it’s over,” said Norwich sprinting coach Phil Curley. “Ky’sawn’s job is to get the baton from Zack to Eric as soon as possible. Ky’Sawn is inquisitive. He wasn’t on the relay last year, so he asks a lot of questions and is constantly looking for assessment to make sure he’s doing things as best as he possibly can. We like the baton in our two fastest kids’ hands (Race and Conant). Then it’s up to Eric to bring it home. There aren’t many kids that can catch Eric from behind, maybe one or two in Section IV. Eric is a workout warrior. No one wants to work as much or as hard as he does. The hardest thing for him is to let his body rest and recover. He wants to keep at it.”
Don’t be mistaken, each runner has played an essential role in what has made Norwich’s 2017 season thus far, a special one.
Currently, the 2017 boys 4x100m relay team bested the school record, setting a new mark at 43.83. That first goal that was reached earlier in the season hasn’t slowed the relay team up – as the team continues the hard meticulous work it takes to perfect a handoff while flying down 100m of track.
“They didn’t appear out of thin air. The (boys) relay was fast last year too. Back-to-back Section IV Class B Champions, so are the girls and they have everyone coming back. Last season was a big learning year. They had to be supervised on every single repetition. This year they are much more knowledgeable. They know what they have to do, the coach just has to tweak things here and there and confirm they’re on point. They do a lot of work independently. They also met weekly over the summer to continue to improve their speed,” said coach Curley.
The hard work, dedication, and sacrifice these student-athletes have made – and continue to make – has set them apart from the majority of DII boys relay teams in New York State.
That fact is apparent when looking at their seeding in the upcoming New York State Championship in Union-Endicott later Friday, June 9, as the squad is ranked sixth in NY State for DII with their school record time of 43.83.
So what is the difference in a year’s time?
“The difference between a good team and a great team is trust. Athletes have to trust their coaching and they have to trust their teammates are going to do their job. Without trust, there is hesitation. Hesitation slows everything down,” said coach Curley. “Blind trust isn’t easy, but after the boys found some success, they became more trusting and thus their times became quicker.”
Trust in each other, trust in their workouts, trust in the long process it takes to make a state appearance. There is many times that one can watch the NHS 4x100 boys relay run – and with a bad handoff comes frustration. However, this 2017 squad has found a way to channel that frustration at moments not onto each other, but back at their workouts – bettering themselves every step of the way.
“I believe we excel in the 4x1 because we put our heart and dedication into it as a team. We give it everything we have to get the perfect hand off. I would have to say the 4x1 is my favorite event because we are all competing together as one and it shows the trust you must have for your teammates to get you the baton,” said Conant. “This being my first time to states is astounding, and I can’t wait to race against the other athletes and face the competition. But that’s only a stepping stone (43.83 school record) to what we will achieve at states.”
Norwich will be faced with some steep competition in the DII 4x100 boys relay realm, however, even though only Zack Race has any state level experience, Norwich is currently only separated from number one ranked Rye County Day by mere tenths of a second, as Rye County Day posted their best mark at 43.60.
Try not to blink or you might miss the entire race come Friday.
“Our coaches really know what they’re talking about and also love too see us succeed. Plus we all work hard and push each other to get better every day. All of that goes hand in hand for us,” said Race, who will also be competing in the 100m and 200m dashes. “Our PR (personal record) is a 43.83 which is a really solid time but we are all hungry to improve that mark every time we step on the track. We’ve done hand offs everyday for the last couple months, but that’s what it takes to compete at such a high level like States.”
Berger added with regard to why the event is his favorite over his other events 100m, 200m and pole vault, “Because of the companionship I have with Eric, Zack, and Ky’sawn. This is what makes the 4x100m my favorite event. I’m feeling very confident in my team and their ability to be competitive. There has been an equal amount of hard work and dedication that has gone into our performance, the bond that our team has developed within the 4x100m team has been a major help when it comes to working together to accomplish what we have.”
So what can the Norwich squad to help improve their chances? Nothing, they will be deadlocked into a race featuring eight teams from DII all ranked with times within a second of each other.
What the Norwich squad will hope they have practiced enough – hand offs. Even the best sprinters struggle with hand-offs, that being no excuse, Norwich has made a note to perfect the art of the high speed hand-off.
“All we can do to improve at the big stage of states is to stay calm and run hard,” said Conant.
Berger offered up a similar statement, saying, “Even though the big stage of states is making me a bit nervous, all we can do as a team is listen to our coach and keep working. It’s gotten us this far, who’s to say we won’t go further.”
With success comes more success. This season has helped further the high school careers of Race, Conant, and Berger – however, for Veale, a senior this season marked his first time running competitively.
“I did track this year to get faster and stay in condition for football but I’m starting to like it so i might try it my sophomore year in college,” said Veale. “We have great team chemistry and our mindset to break records is what helps us even more.”
What might ask where the workouts come from in order to produce four state-bound sprinters?
Longtime coach, Curley has an answer and he says that the basis of their workouts have stayed put since the days of old – while adding in new techniques and strategies along the way.
“What you might not know is some of the concepts we use in our relay, especially race strategy, was first taught to us by John Pluta, a long time sprint coach for Norwich. Also, knowledge is key. Between Physical Education, conferences and track clinics, we (coaches) bring in new ideas and strategies each year,” said coach Curley. “They’ve made sacrifices to be successful as well. Eric pulled out of the 200 meters in state qualifier, Ky’sawn gave up the long jump and triple jump, and David didn’t run the 200 meters, all so they could have fresh legs. The result was 43.83.”
Trust, prepare, and rest. That is all that Norwich can do at this stage – their first race is scheduled for
Each of the four athletes offered up thanks to their coaching staff, parents, siblings and all who support them – saying that none of it would be possible without the constant support.
“They all seem to get along. I think it helps that they’ve participated in other sports together and have spent time in the weight room together,” said coach Curley. “They are all very polite, ‘Yes sir,’ ‘No sir.’ ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you.’ More importantly than being good athletes, these are good boys. I’m sure they make their parents proud.”
With a DII NY State Title on the line the Norwich boys 4x100m team will be lining up for the start of their race in Union-Endicott, come Friday at 4:20 p.m.
“As it being my first time to states I can’t wait to go but i want to win, I don’t want to go to lose, so winning is my top priority,” said Veale. “We haven’t hit our personal best yet, you’ll just have to wait and see during states.”
One a year – the team is comprised of one stellar NHS sprinter, each at a different spot in their high school career – all converging for a shot a state title. This only happens once a year, stay tuned.
Norwich’s boys 4x100m relay team with legit shot at DII state title
Norwich’s boys 4x100m relay team with legit shot at states
NORWICH – Four student-athletes, all at different stages of their athletic careers in high school Track and Field. Together, they have formed a formidable force in the ever-exhilarating boys 4x100m relay race.
A brotherhood, the four NHS sprinters have grown together over the 2017 season – maturing and perfecting their craft – in the shape of a record-breaking, state-bound relay team.
That 2017 relay team is made up of freshman David Berger, sophomore Eric Conant, junior Zack Race, and senior Ky’sawn Veale.
“Each runner has their own job. David needs to get out of the blocks in a hurry and not give up any ground. He’s been amazing all year. I don’t think we’ve ever been more than a meter behind after the first curve and some schools have some very fast runners on that first leg. Zack’s job is to get that baton and create a cushion, which he always has. Zack is a silent assassin. He doesn’t say much, but once he gets the stick, it’s over,” said Norwich sprinting coach Phil Curley. “Ky’sawn’s job is to get the baton from Zack to Eric as soon as possible. Ky’Sawn is inquisitive. He wasn’t on the relay last year, so he asks a lot of questions and is constantly looking for assessment to make sure he’s doing things as best as he possibly can. We like the baton in our two fastest kids’ hands (Race and Conant). Then it’s up to Eric to bring it home. There aren’t many kids that can catch Eric from behind, maybe one or two in Section IV. Eric is a workout warrior. No one wants to work as much or as hard as he does. The hardest thing for him is to let his body rest and recover. He wants to keep at it.”
Don’t be mistaken, each runner has played an essential role in what has made Norwich’s 2017 season thus far, a special one.
Currently, the 2017 boys 4x100m relay team bested the school record, setting a new mark at 43.83. That first goal that was reached earlier in the season hasn’t slowed the relay team up – as the team continues the hard meticulous work it takes to perfect a handoff while flying down 100m of track.
“They didn’t appear out of thin air. The (boys) relay was fast last year too. Back-to-back Section IV Class B Champions, so are the girls and they have everyone coming back. Last season was a big learning year. They had to be supervised on every single repetition. This year they are much more knowledgeable. They know what they have to do, the coach just has to tweak things here and there and confirm they’re on point. They do a lot of work independently. They also met weekly over the summer to continue to improve their speed,” said coach Curley.
The hard work, dedication, and sacrifice these student-athletes have made – and continue to make – has set them apart from the majority of DII boys relay teams in New York State.
That fact is apparent when looking at their seeding in the upcoming New York State Championship in Union-Endicott later Friday, June 9, as the squad is ranked sixth in NY State for DII with their school record time of 43.83.
So what is the difference in a year’s time?
“The difference between a good team and a great team is trust. Athletes have to trust their coaching and they have to trust their teammates are going to do their job. Without trust, there is hesitation. Hesitation slows everything down,” said coach Curley. “Blind trust isn’t easy, but after the boys found some success, they became more trusting and thus their times became quicker.”
Trust in each other, trust in their workouts, trust in the long process it takes to make a state appearance. There is many times that one can watch the NHS 4x100 boys relay run – and with a bad handoff comes frustration. However, this 2017 squad has found a way to channel that frustration at moments not onto each other, but back at their workouts – bettering themselves every step of the way.
“I believe we excel in the 4x1 because we put our heart and dedication into it as a team. We give it everything we have to get the perfect hand off. I would have to say the 4x1 is my favorite event because we are all competing together as one and it shows the trust you must have for your teammates to get you the baton,” said Conant. “This being my first time to states is astounding, and I can’t wait to race against the other athletes and face the competition. But that’s only a stepping stone (43.83 school record) to what we will achieve at states.”
Norwich will be faced with some steep competition in the DII 4x100 boys relay realm, however, even though only Zack Race has any state level experience, Norwich is currently only separated from number one ranked Rye County Day by mere tenths of a second, as Rye County Day posted their best mark at 43.60.
Try not to blink or you might miss the entire race come Friday.
“Our coaches really know what they’re talking about and also love too see us succeed. Plus we all work hard and push each other to get better every day. All of that goes hand in hand for us,” said Race, who will also be competing in the 100m and 200m dashes. “Our PR (personal record) is a 43.83 which is a really solid time but we are all hungry to improve that mark every time we step on the track. We’ve done hand offs everyday for the last couple months, but that’s what it takes to compete at such a high level like States.”
Berger added with regard to why the event is his favorite over his other events 100m, 200m and pole vault, “Because of the companionship I have with Eric, Zack, and Ky’sawn. This is what makes the 4x100m my favorite event. I’m feeling very confident in my team and their ability to be competitive. There has been an equal amount of hard work and dedication that has gone into our performance, the bond that our team has developed within the 4x100m team has been a major help when it comes to working together to accomplish what we have.”
So what can the Norwich squad to help improve their chances? Nothing, they will be deadlocked into a race featuring eight teams from DII all ranked with times within a second of each other.
What the Norwich squad will hope they have practiced enough – hand offs. Even the best sprinters struggle with hand-offs, that being no excuse, Norwich has made a note to perfect the art of the high speed hand-off.
“All we can do to improve at the big stage of states is to stay calm and run hard,” said Conant.
Berger offered up a similar statement, saying, “Even though the big stage of states is making me a bit nervous, all we can do as a team is listen to our coach and keep working. It’s gotten us this far, who’s to say we won’t go further.”
With success comes more success. This season has helped further the high school careers of Race, Conant, and Berger – however, for Veale, a senior this season marked his first time running competitively.
“I did track this year to get faster and stay in condition for football but I’m starting to like it so i might try it my sophomore year in college,” said Veale. “We have great team chemistry and our mindset to break records is what helps us even more.”
What might ask where the workouts come from in order to produce four state-bound sprinters?
Longtime coach, Curley has an answer and he says that the basis of their workouts have stayed put since the days of old – while adding in new techniques and strategies along the way.
“What you might not know is some of the concepts we use in our relay, especially race strategy, was first taught to us by John Pluta, a long time sprint coach for Norwich. Also, knowledge is key. Between Physical Education, conferences and track clinics, we (coaches) bring in new ideas and strategies each year,” said coach Curley. “They’ve made sacrifices to be successful as well. Eric pulled out of the 200 meters in state qualifier, Ky’sawn gave up the long jump and triple jump, and David didn’t run the 200 meters, all so they could have fresh legs. The result was 43.83.”
Trust, prepare, and rest. That is all that Norwich can do at this stage – their first race is scheduled for
Each of the four athletes offered up thanks to their coaching staff, parents, siblings and all who support them – saying that none of it would be possible without the constant support.
“They all seem to get along. I think it helps that they’ve participated in other sports together and have spent time in the weight room together,” said coach Curley. “They are all very polite, ‘Yes sir,’ ‘No sir.’ ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you.’ More importantly than being good athletes, these are good boys. I’m sure they make their parents proud.”
With a DII NY State Title on the line the Norwich boys 4x100m team will be lining up for the start of their race in Union-Endicott, come Friday at 4:20 p.m.
“As it being my first time to states I can’t wait to go but i want to win, I don’t want to go to lose, so winning is my top priority,” said Veale. “We haven’t hit our personal best yet, you’ll just have to wait and see during states.”
One a year – the team is comprised of one stellar NHS sprinter, each at a different spot in their high school career – all converging for a shot a state title. This only happens once a year, stay tuned.
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