Published: May 09, 2009 09:35 pm      

’Cat track working on handoff during break

By SCOTT TYLER

Sports Editor



The Palestine track team has had some extra time on its hands and that means one thing — more handoffs.

With the Class 3A-Region III track meet being postponed until the end of the week, the Palestine relay teams have used the additional practice time to work on its handoffs.

“We have been doing a lot of handoff work,” Palestine track coach Booker Bowie said of both his boys and girls relay teams. “It is making it tough not running for two to three weeks but we have kept conditioning and incorporated more workouts with our handoffs.”

The Palestine track teams will run in the regional track meet Friday and Saturday at Humble ISD. The regional track meet originally was scheduled for last week, but the UIL postponed all events due to the swine flu epidemic.

The top two finishers in each event at regionals qualify for the state meet on June 5 and 6 at the University of Texas in Austin.

“We are looking to bring down our times and look for improvements at regionals,” Bowie said. “Our goal in the prelims is to make the finals and then it is all on the line.”

Bowie has high hopes for his relay teams on both the boys and girls squad.

For the boys, the 400- and 800-meter teams which both won gold at the district meet are comprised of Xavier Davis, Terance Simon, Darius Simmons and Joe Anthony.

“The importance of handoffs are going to be key for us to have success,” Bowie said. “Other regional teams have great sprinters as well, so we are going to have to get our handoffs.”

Davis, a senior, brings experience to the Wildcat relay teams as he ran at the state meet as a sophomore on the Palestine 400 and 800 relay teams. The 800 relay team took silver in Austin.

“Xavier is a big help for our relays,” Bowie said. “He is important for helping us when we warm up and getting us focused.”

Simmons also runs on the 1600 relay team with Laquadium Foreman, Samuel Hazel and Harlon McCoy, who also won gold at district.

Foreman could be a threat in a couple of individual events as the senior will run in the 1600 and 3200.

“Laquadium has been on varsity for four years and we want him to go out in style,” Bowie said. “He ran his best times in district and he is very competitive.”

For the Palestine girls, Bowie hopes for high marks from the 400 and 800 relay teams, which both consist of Annie Anthony, Krystal Davis, Temish Whitehead and Terinika Farris.

“The girls relays have one of the best times in our region,” Bowie said. “We have good speed and I am excited about them. Handoffs are going to be big.”

Fatima McDonald also has a chance to get to Austin as she is coming off district gold in both the 100 and 300 hurdles.

“In the 300 hurdles, she is in the top four times and if she improves on that, she has a good chance,” Bowie said.

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Scott Tyler may be contacted via e-mail at styler@palestineherald.com