Published: April 21, 2008 01:34 am            

Panther track has eyes on state track berths

By SALLY SEXTON

H-P Sports Writer



Less than a year ago, the Westwood Panthers saw their 1600-meter relay team reach the University Interscholastic League’s Class 3A state meet.

Westwood is hoping for the same thing this year and maybe even a little more when the Panthers compete in the Class 3A-Region III track and field meet at Humble High School Friday and Saturday.

Senior Cale Brooks will be competing in the 300 hurdles.

This is an event he has run in regionals all four years.

A question mark heading into next week for the Panthers is Bruce Smith.

Smith’s status is up in the air to run in the 200 after straining a quad muscle earlier in the season.

“We’re still not sure if he’s going to run in that event, but he will be running in the mile relay,” Westwood head coach Steven Skinner said.

Another member of 1600 relay team is Gralyn Crawford, who also will be running in the 400.

“Gralyn’s got a chance to make it to the finals if he can improve his time a little bit,” Skinner said. “I think that relay team has a good shot to get in to the finals.”

Sprinter Marvin Warren is competing in the 100 after finishing third in the district meet with a time of 11:01.

In the regional qualifiers meet last week, he cut his time down to 10.56, which broke the school record at Westwood High School.

“This region has a lot of speed so he’s got his work cut out for him,” Skinner said.

Representing in the field events are Sam Dunnam and Michael Walker in the discus.

“They should do pretty well if they can stay focused,” Skinner said. “Our main goal is to get to the finals. All we can do is run as fast as we can.”

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Sally Sexton can be reached via e-mail at sports2@palestineherald.com

        

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