Before the start of the 48th Jesuit-Sheaner Relays on Saturday, DeSoto coach Mark Brady predicted to his team that the warm weather and minimal wind might lead to a few records being broken.
The clear skies and 70-degree temperatures held up and proved Brady correct as four Class 5A meet records fell at Jesuit-Ranger Stadium.
DeSoto, fielding one of the fastest teams ever to participate in the event, not only broke the Jesuit-Sheaner Relays record in the 4x100 relay but set a national mark for this season as well.
With a time of 40.59 seconds, seniors Ridge Jones and Bryson Echols combined with juniors Tremayne Acy and Dontre Wilson to top their previous mark of 40.74. But that still didn’t equate to a perfect run, according to Jones and Acy.
“Good handoffs, good finish, good start, good everything,” Jones said. “But we still need some work because we’re trying to get in the 39s.”
Preparing for next weekend’s Texas Relays in Austin, DeSoto didn’t run its normal relay teams in the 4x200 and 4x400. The Eagles, who finished second to Southlake Carroll in total points Saturday, also hold the nation’s best times in those relays.
“We’re just trying to keep them healthy right now,” Brady said. “We’ve known from day one that they can run a 39-something, no doubt. We’re not surprised. They’re fast.”
William Stovall earned the other record for DeSoto, posting a 1:51.48 time in the 800 meters.
Struggles with false starts: Patience paid off for Acy in the 100 meters. After four competitors left the blocks early — including South Grand Prairie’s Abraham Hall, who has the third-best time in the county at 10.41 — Acy easily won the event in 10.42.
“It was just nerve-racking with everyone jumping,” said Acy, who added that he’s had problems with staying in the blocks too long.
Not happy with win: Mansfield Timberview’s Aldrich Bailey had a hand in breaking two of the other Jesuit-Sheaner Relays records. Bailey gave his team a considerable advantage with his third-leg run that helped win the 4x400 relay (3:15.16), and he added a first-place finish in the 400 meters (46.56). However, he was far from pleased with his time.
“I can run a lot faster than that,” Bailey said. “My legs didn’t feel all the way loose before the race. Prelims and finals on the same day, I don’t really like that too much.”
Briefly: Arlington Bowie’s Roland Sales cannot high jump 6-8 during practices, but he continues to do so in meets. Sales, who said the adrenaline makes the difference, won the event, tying the school record that has stood since 1995. … Bryce Grace of Bryan Adams swept the 110 hurdles and the 300 hurdles.