Best of the Decade for Boys Track
By: Coach Davyd Cash
100m
Mark Jelks –Gary West Side
In my opinion, the fastest complete sprinter in Indiana history. He would have owned both State Meet Records, but the wind was just above the legal limit.
200m
Scott Wims –Northrop
Wims (aka the original “RecklisBalla”) gets the nod over Matt Terrell because he was able to make it on the Junior World Championship team. The greatest thing about him was that he believed in himself before he was even an elite runner. As a sophomore, he announced on the message board that he was going to win State, and was ridiculed for saying so…until he did.
400m
David Neville –Merrillville
& Robert Gardner –Lew Wallace
I couldn’t decide between the two. Sure, Neville blazed his way to a State Meet Record, but Gardner won back to back titles, and was less than .20 of a second off of Neville’s record. It is safe to say that “The Region” pretty much owns this event.
800m
Michael Taylor –Portage
Is it even possible to have a conversation about the 800 and not mention Taylor? That’s like having a conversation about the worst rappers of all time and not mentioning 50 cent. Taylor was also one of a few Hoosier half milers to enjoy success at the national level.
1600m
Andy Weatherford –Greencastle
He spent his entire athletic career as an underdog. He was the guy that wasn’t supposed to win: His training, pedigree, school history, level of competition, running style… always came into question. But from what I saw, no one could set ‘em and knock ‘em down like Weatherford. His kick was nasty. He was the Rocky Balboa of Greencastle.
3200m
Christian Wagner –Columbus North
Wagner was the first distance runner that I absolutely, positively, had to watch. Everything he did commanded attention, and I can only say that about a few other men; Mr. T, Biz Markie, Usain Bolt, Dave Chappelle, and Muhammad Ali. That’s it. That’s the list.
110HH & 300IH
Bryce Brown –Evansville Harrison
I really tried to find another hurdler to mention( it would have been Joey Hodges, but he never won a title. He is track’s Susan Lucci. And Anthony Argentino had more body hair than George “The Animal” Steele. He looked like he was wearing a speedsuit made for Cliff Huxtable). Brown was smart to come to Indianapolis and train with some of the top sprinters and hurdlers during the summers. He is my official State Meet Record Holder in the 110’s…I can’t credit Jerry Hill’s hand time.
High Jump
Derrick Spight –Warren Central
Do you think when he is in church that he claps like he does before he jumps? It would be awesome if he did. I would miss Meet The Press to see that. He also had the biggest entourage that I have ever seen for a high school athlete. It was staggering. I saw Lil’ Wayne on the street last summer, and I don’t think he had as many people as Spight.
Long Jump
Marcus Lewis –Lawrence North
I’m not totally comfortable with my choice, because Lewis never possessed any actual technique. He was just a really fast guy that could hit the board. And he never really practiced the event. But he was very competitive, he made big jumps when he had to make them, and he beat some really good jumpers en route to his two titles.
Pole Vault
Corey Shank –Northrop
From the time Shank was able to walk, it was a foregone conclusion that he would go on to set a State Meet Record in this event. Fort Wayne tracksters are notorious for passing their ability through to their offspring. Shank hit the jackpot. He may have been the fastest vaulter in history, and he was unbelievably tough( he was injured all of last year, but still went on to win his third consecutive state championship). He also perpetuated my swag (wore the same style of socks) at the State Meet.
Shot Put
Brandon Pounds –Lawrence North
It was hard to pass up Jason Brown of South Bend Clay, but Pounds was the right choice. He set a State Record while winning a National Championship.
Discus
Josh Greenwald - Decatur Central
Greenwald reminds me of professional wrestling superstar Chris Benoit: Intimidating business-like manner, extremely athletic, and incredible technique.
4x100
Ben Davis
Even though I tried to put another team in this slot, it was impossible to overlook the Giants. They won six titles in the decade, including three straight, and a National Championship.
4x400
Ben Davis
The most impressive win came as the Giants won their second consecutive relay title in 2003, because none of those runners had been on the relay in 2002.
4x800
Carmel
This was an easy pick. While others were good, Carmel was simply great. They once held the State Meet Record in this event, only to see it broken in 2006, and almost reclaimed in 2009.
Athlete of The Decade
Bryce Brown Evansville Harrison
It was hard to pass over Matt Terrell, who finished his career with eleven IHSAA rings and one National Championship ring. But Brown was better in his individual events that Terrell was in his. He was also an extremely versatile runner, and he posted fast times in the 100 and 200, and well as legs on relays (including a 46.9 anchor leg at the USATF Junior Olympics).
Teams of the Decade
Ben Davis
Lawrence North
While the Wildcats have one more championship than the Giants, Ben Davis has three runner-up and two third place finishes. Lawrence North also has a second, third, and fourth place finish as a team. Lawrence North, to the best of my recollection, has fielded an all-state competitor in every event this decade, but Ben Davis holds the edge in event champions.
