Jones sprints way to master meet
Junior Nate Jones finishes the 100 meter race.
May 29, 2014
For the first time in 37 years, Tracy High boys’ track team won the San Joaquin Athletic Association (SJAA) title.
The Bulldogs finished with a 5-1 record, surpassing the expectations set by sprinting coach Mauricio Martin.
“We had more people qualify for divisionals than we have ever had,” Martin said. “A lot of people met their personal goals.”
The Sac-Joaquin Section Division I finals took place at Elk Grove High on May 23.
Junior Nate Jones led the team, winning the 100-meter dash in 10.74 seconds. Jones is the only sprinter who moved on to the Masters event on May 29-30 in Elk Grove.
“The whole season has been leading up to this,” Jones said. “I’m looking towards Masters now.”
Senior Eric Hawkins finished 19th in the 400 meter preliminary race in 52.55 seconds.
Sophomore Jacob Spencer placed 17th in the 1600 meters (4:31.98) and 15th in the 3200 meters (9:52.44).
Junior “He (Jones) is doing just what he needs to be doing,” Martin said, “Our goal is to get him to 10.5.”
Evan Savage was 20th in the 800 prelims in 2:01.36. Sophomore Daniel Falcao placed 25th in 4:41.53.
“There have been a lot of great performances by the younger athletes,” Martin said. “I expect them only to get better for next year.”
The SJAA Track and Field Championship finals took place on May 16.
Jones won the 100 in a school record 10.62 and the 200 meters in 21.63.
“He (Jones) is doing just what he needs to be doing,” Martin said, “Our goal is to get him to 10.5.”
Hawkins placed fifth in the 400 in 53.58. Seniors Christopher Garcia and AJ Frazier placed sixth and seventh behind Hawkins in the 400 meters in 53.59 and 54.25.
“These seniors have given so much to this team,” Martin said. “It’s good to see them have a great final race.”
Savage got third in the 800 meters in 2:02.30. Falcao got sixth in the 800m in 2:08.25 and fifth in the 1600m in 4:50.09 and fifth in the 3200m in 10:18.52.
Spencer placed third in the 1600 in 4:37.57 and third in the 3200 in 9:50.08.
Senior Davis Jenkins placed sixth 110 hurdles (16.40) and third in the 300 high hurdles (42.43).
“I’m pretty proud of myself, I improved a lot, and came a long way,” Jenkins said. “I made it to Division I sectionals, I didn’t advance, and it was tough for me, but I ran a personal best time.”
The relay teams placed high at the finals. The 4x100m relay team got third in 43.76 (Brandon Russell, Jason Nelson, Hawkins and Jones). The 4x400m relay team also got third in 3:30.53 (Garcia, Nelson, Hawkins and Jones).
