Mike McGraw
Hoosier Authority
There is never a year when Danville’s Track and Field teams are not
tough to handle. That is due in large part to Coach Bill Bradshaw. Bradshaw has
been at the helm of the program for over thirty seasons and is one of the most
respected mentors in the state. This year is no exception. The Warrior girls
are experienced and balanced. That is bad news for the rest of the Sagamore
Conference.
If you want to win meets you had better be strong in the
sprints and Danville
is, if you will excuse the expression, loaded for bear. It starts with sophomore
Jessica Coccaro who was a state finalist in the 100 meters a year ago. During
the regular season, Coccaro will also run the 200 and anchor what should be a
very strong 4X100 relay team. She is joined on that unit by juniors Abbie
Brewer, Taylor Reyes, and Molly Stewart. Yes, you heard right. They are strong
this season and they are all underclassmen.
Don’t look for a break when the distance events come around.
Briana Deckard will be strong in the 1500 and 3200 meters. Nor is there a
weakness in the field events. In that arena, Danville
returns Hendricks
County champion high
jumper Whitney Adams. She will be joined by pole vaulter Nikki Cullison. If
that name sounds familiar, it is because of the bloodlines. Nikki’s brother
Derek excelled in the pole vault for the Warrior boys and is now plying his
trade at Purdue.
Bradshaw obviously points to all this experience as the
strength of the Warriors. His main concern entering the season is developing
athletes in the throwing events.
As much experience as returns for the girls, there is
precious little of that commodity on the boy’s side. The leaders of this squad
will be 50 ft. plus shot putter Karl Shoening and 400 meter specialist Luke
Robinson. Again, look to the bloodlines. Luke is the younger brother of Wendy
Robinson who currently is a highly ranked distance runner at IU.
Bradshaw acknowledges that the lack of experience is likely
to lead to a slow start for the Warrior boys. However, he points to large
numbers and great team chemistry as reasons why Danville will be in the mix by the end of the
year.
The Warriors have already had two meets washed out by
inclement weather but hope to open Monday afternoon against Lebanon.