They can run and they can throw, so if they can hit.

Friday, March 24, 2000

They can run and they can throw, so if they can hit.

Wait a minute. Wrong sport.

Running and throwing will be strengths, but the Ironton Fighting Tigers track team will need additional help in other areas if they are to enjoy any success this season.

"Our runners can be strong, and we have a chance to be strong in the hurdles and relays, and we have a lot of good throwers," Ironton coach Greg Cronacher said.

"But we have to improve our distance running and our jumping events. Hopefully, we’ll be able to do that later in the season."

Leading the running will be seniors Jason Harmon, Mike Henry, and Ryan McClellan, junior Erique Bacon, sophomores Tyler Scior and Hugh Donald Scott, and freshmen Jeff Pleasant, Aaron Morrison, and Marcus Turner.

Henry and Scott should be in the 200, Harmon, Scior, and Bacon the 100, McClellan and Scott the 400, and all of them will be in the relays.

Harmon, who is also the leading candidate in the long jump, will run the hurdles along with Jerry Massie.

"Harmon and Massie could be reckoned with down the road," said Cronacher. "Scott has run well in the 400 and McClellan looks strong, too. Almost all of them have been there before. Pleasant and Morrison will have to wait in the wings.

The throws are the shot put and discus, and Cronacher said the Fighting Tigers have no less than six capable throwers.

Seniors Brandon Brown, Andre Murphy, and Henry along with juniors Mark Gleichauf, Eli Dalton, and Redgie Arden comprise a solid group.

Arden may be in front in both categories, but Cronacher said Bacon "has been throwing well. But he could be running, so he’s still a question mark.

"Gleichauf has been throwing real well. He’s improved over last year, and Henry figures to be one of our throwers in the shot and discus."

Jesse Collins figures to pole vault, Chris Haney and Justin Wise will high jump, while Morrison and Pleasant will join Harmon in the long jump.

Haney and Wise will join Murphy and freshman Marcus Turner in the backup 1600 relay.

Senior Brad Washburn will be a key figure in the distance races and relay. Washburn also is a vital cog in the 4×400 relay.

Washburn’s strength will lie in the 800 and 1600 races, but he may be called upon to win by 20.

Also in the distance running and relays will be sophomore Seth Lewis, junior Jeremy Garrison, freshman Jason Philabaun, and Haney will combine talents on the 3200 relay.