Jesuit-Sheaner
Relays began with 3 objectives; (1) provide a first class venue for
boys track & field where athletes can benefit from top facilities
and competition, (2) promote high school track & field to area fans and media
in order to build broader interest in the sport, (3) provide maximum
exposure and recognition to North Texas fans of top individuals and
teams.
The
Relays were first run in 1964 as the
Jesuit Relays
on
a new all-weather track at Jesuit High School in Dallas, Texas. The track
was the first of its kind in Texas and attracted High Schools, Junior Colleges
and Universities from across the state to participate in the inaugural
meet. High Schools continue to travel from all parts of Texas and
neighboring states to participate in what has become one of the finest high
school track & field meets in Texas. The meet was a a boys
only high school track & field meet with 6A and 5A & lower divisions
competing separately until 2014 when the girls division was added. A strong emphasis is placed on the 17 UIL state meet
events allowing schools to prepare for District, Regional and
State competition.
Great Trackmen On A
New Track
reprint Feb.
22, 1964
Southwest Conference Sprint champion Billy Foster of SMU
is at the starting
line
of the new all-weather rubberized track at Jesuit High. Foster
has been working out on the new track during the past few
weeks in preparation for the all-important track season of
1964. Watching the Foster technique are Jesuit coach
Herb Sheaner, center, and Jesuit track star Terry Cole.
Cole is finishing among the leaders in early season dash
competition, and for him 1964 is full of bright
hopes. Foster is one of the nation's fastest runners,
and 1964 could bring, in addition to more Southwest Conference
titles in the 100 and 220 yard dashes, a berth on the 1964
U.S. Olympic Team. - (Boyd Monaghen Photo.)
|
Jesuit
Relays was renamed the
Jesuit-Sheaner
Relays in 1975 upon the retiring of long time track coach
Herb
Sheaner.
Coach Sheaner served in World War II and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart during the
Battle of the Bulge (where he was captured and placed in a German prison
camp). He became the Track & Field and Cross Country coach at Jesuit in
1955. This followed a track career at the University of Texas in the 1940s under
the longhorns' legendary coach, Clyde Littlefield. In addition to establishing the Jesuit-Sheaner Relays, coach
Sheaner organized and hosted Dallas first fall Cross Country meet in 1958
and the first T.C.I.L. State track meet in 1957.
Coach Herb Sheaner
Ken Shaw, 1967 Distance Champion
Tom Booker, 1967 Discus Champion