TRACK UPDATE

The Jesuit-Sheaner Relays, long known as one of the state's premier high school boys track events, this year will feature one of its top fields in the meet's 33 years.

The Relays, Saturday at Jesuit, always draw top individual talent from the area and beyond. This time, some of the top teams will compete, including Oklahoma's defending Class 5A (Edmond North) and 4A (Altus) state champions, as well as Carter, DeSoto and Greenville.

East and West Texas also will be represented with powerful Odessa and Odessa Permian joining the field, along with Marshall, Tyler John Tyler, Longview and Jasper.

Two other strong out-of-state teams also will compete: Lawton (Okla.) Eisenhower and Ruston (La.)

Former Jesuit track coach Herb Sheaner, the meet's founder and director, said even he is somewhat surprised at the number of quality teams, particularly those that will travel to Dallas for the meet.

"I know most schools that have been in the meet want to come back, " he said. "But we have several that I've been after for a number of years that will be here for the first time."

One is Jasper, a Class 4A school from East Texas, which won team state titles in 1985 and 1991 and finished fourth last year.

"We've never run in the Dallas area," said Lloyd Weatherspoon, Jasper's coach. "But I've always known this was one of the best meets in the state for this time of year."

This year, it might just be the best - at least until the state meet.

The number of deep teams entered means each event will be loaded with talent, particularly the relays.

Carter, Greenville, Marshall, Odessa and Permian should stage a thrilling sprint relay. Meanwhile Greenville's Ashley Mayberry, Permian' s Jaquay Wilburn, DeSoto's Larry Jefferson and Jasper's Lawrence Armstrong are just a few names to watch in the sprints.

Greenville's Brandon Couts is the Class 4A defending state champ in the 400, and Marshall's David Aaron is the top returnee in the nation in the 300-meter hurdles.

© 1997 The Dallas Morning News All Rights Reserved

Dan Noxon / Staff Writer of The Dallas Morning News, Top teams to compete in relays., 03-21-1997, pp 14B.