Track and Field Summary, 2007

By Coach Ginny Richburg

Nine dedicated athletes started training in mid-March for what would be the third and biggest record setting season of the RUHS track club. Setting a new standard for an event or marking a new school record happened over 30 times throughout the season.

Senior Seth Dezan set a school and personal best mark of 29’ 7" in the shot put, a new event for him. In the javelin, he improved to 113’ 7". His specialties, the 100 and 200 meter dashes, became events in which he placed and scored consistently, lowering his 100 time and the record to 12.15 and in the 200, to 25.05 at the Division II State Meet.

Senior Wes Simpson helped Seth set the tone and work ethic at practices. Although he struggled with illness, he still consistently placed in the 800 and came close to his previous paces. His 59.5 in the 400 still stands as the school record in that event.

The girls on the team supported and encouraged each other and their teammates throughout the season. Junior Holly Mugford originally took the record for the 100 meter dash, only to be outpaced by junior Amy Richburg, who left it set at 15.44. In the 200, Richburg originally had a new record, only to be outpaced by Mugford, who was then bested by freshman Allie Byrne, leaving that mark at 33.4. Allie also set records by competing in the 400 with a best of 79.4 and in the 800 at 3:01:6. Her long jump of 10’ 6" is a record waiting for the next athlete, as well as a 6:37 in the 1500.

Mugford tried many events in this, her first season. She also set the mark at 70.0 for the 300 hurdles. Her best event, the javelin, became a wonder to behold as the season continued. Learning the technique was the challenge, and she showed great form at the Essex Invitational with a throw of 99’ 9" which earned her fifth place amongst all Division I, II, and III athletes and gave her a ticket to compete in the New England Championships. It was quite an improvement and accomplishment from her first meet throw of 78". Mugford also took fourth place at the Division II State Meet with a 94’ 8" mark.

Junior Danielle Galbreath showed her fiery spirit and fierce competitive streak on the track and set new records for herself in both the 100 and 200 and tried new events, the shot put and javelin. Galbreath is the second best javelin thrower on the team and has gained strength for the running events by exploring field events.

Junior High

Three junior high athletes also practiced with the squad. Kayla Thompson, who also ran cross country, showed determination and speed by running 3:13.5 in the 800 and 84.5 in the 400. Her classmate, Jacob Zani, showed great speed and developed as a sprinter throughout the season. He caught and passed the junior high records in both the 100 and 200, lowering the records to 12.47 and 26.29, respectively. Ryan Maxfield ran those events as well and specialized in the shot put and javelin. He had a best throw of 22’ 10" in the shot and set a new record in the javelin at 99’ 8.5".

With returning athletes and new squad members next year, the team and their coach, Ginny Richburg, hope to continue pushing the marks. Finding groups of four to make relay teams can only add to the already impressive performances and continue to show Randolph as a force to be reckoned with at regular, invitational and championship meets.

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