Track and Field Team May Be Solon's Best Yet

For the record, this just might be the best track and field team in Solon High School history.

The Comets are not only deep but possess great individual talent. The team's 18-year dual meet winning streak remains intact and several school records have already been broken or are in jeopardy. Solon seems destined to win this week's Division I district meet at Ravenna and the Comets will be a force at next week's regional meet at Austintown-Fitch.

So far, so good.

"There have been no surprises and that's a good thing for us," said head coach Dan Iwan. "The guys have been doing a good job of concentrating on the short-term goals and now they are very goal-oriented with what is ahead of them. They know it's going to get tougher from here on in and they are very aware of what the kids from other schools are doing."

One school record has already fallen at Ravenna this week as A.J. Hicks shattered his own mark in the shot put with a heave of 64-1.5. Hicks, who is headed to North Carolina on a track scholarship, also owns the discus record. The shot and discus marks were held by the late, great Jim Mandich for 45 years.

"A.J. is unbelievable, he really is," said Iwan.

Hurdler Rod Jackson is flirting with a school record in the 300-meter hurdles (his 38.5 is just three-tenths of a second off)  while sprinter Khoury Crenshaw is close to a new record in the 100 meters with a personal best of 10.7 and has already tied the school mark in the 200 meters (21.8). Solon's 4x100 and 4x200 meter relays are also closing in on record times.

"What really separates this team is that we are deep but we also have such great individual talent," said Iwan. "We have individuals that we know will score points. We just want to get through the district first and see where we are for the regionals."

The Fitch regional is somewhat of a mini state meet as the competition increases greatly from the district.

"The conditions are much tougher at our regional," concedes Iwan. "It's a whole new level."

Solon does have the advantage of already claiming the state indoor track and field title this year. "There's no doubt that will help us," said Iwan. "This team is not afraid of any team they are going to see from here on out. They respect the realy good teams like Glenville but they're not going to back down from them. To have already run on a big stage is definitely a confidence factor for us."

If the Comets can fare well at the regional meet, it will only bolster that confidence. "Once you get through our regional you know you have already been through some real battles," said Iwan.

Of course, this time of the year is always a challenge for seniors, who have their minds on many things both on and off the track.

"The challenging part for our seniors is working on their senior projects. They have to dedicate a certain number of hours each week and that takes them away from school," said Iwan.

One project remains a work in progress. In two weeks, this Comet team has a chance to rise to the top of the class in Columbus.