Tracey Edson and Katie Cappelletti
Staff Writers
Boys Tennis and Track and Field
Track and Field:
The Jamesville-DeWitt High School Varsity Track and Field team is seeking another sectional title. The Red Rams have won the sectional title for eight consecutive years. Although it is a team goal to win sectionals and leagues, many runners and jumpers and throwers have individual goals in mind as well.
Seniors Hannah Butler and Patrick Dye have had a lot of success on the Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field teams over four years. Recently, Butler competed indoors for the J-D team in Staten Island, and finished in 19th place in the 3000-meter run. “My goal for this (outdoor) season is to come in the top five in the state meet and break the school record in the 1500 (meters),” said Butler, who will continue her running career at Brown University. Dye competes in the 3200, 1600, 800 and the 4 x 8 relay. He made it to state qualifiers as a part of the indoor team and ran in the 3200 there. “My goal this season is to make it to state qualifiers in the 3200,” said Dye on this outdoor season. After graduation, Dye will attend Johns Hopkins University and will continue running there.
While Butler and Dye are having success as seniors, Tasha Bazile, who participates in the high jump, is also finding it as an freshman. On the Indoor Track and Field Team, Bazile make it to leagues, sectionals, and state qualifiers. “At leagues and sectionals I did pretty well, but at state quals I didn’t get very far,” said Bazile, who is trying to get back to states this outdoor season. Junior Alex Payne runs for the indoor and outdoor teams at J-D, and also does the high jump and long jump. She runs in the 100 and 200 meter runs as well as the 100 hurdles. “My goal is to break to the 100 school record,” said Payne.
The track team practices everyday on their individual events as well as working as a team to achieve their goals. “Like any other team we want to win as many meets as possible, win leagues, win sectionals, and send as many kids to state qualifiers and states as possible,” said Coach Emily Rowles. Their next meet is Wednesday, April 12. against Auburn.
Boys Tennis:
The Jamesville-DeWitt High School Varsity Boys Tennis Team is looking to be just as successful this season as they were in previous years. “We’re hoping to win our sixth consecutive Section III title for Class B, hoping to be league champions again and I know for two players in particular that they went to the state tournament as a doubles team and they’re hoping to be back,” said Head Coach Eugene Sul.
The two individuals who went to the state tournament last year were junior Rob Dotterer and seventh grader Peter Hatton. This year they are hoping to do just as well as last season. “I hope that we make states again and win our class,” said Dotterer, now a senior, who has been on the team for six years.
The 13 players on the varsity team have been preparing in the off season, as well as working hard during in-season training. “It’s really what they do in the months out of season and preparation for the season” that helps them find success, said Coach Sul
The tennis team is hoping to repeat the past and take home another sectional title. They have tough matches coming up against their rivals. “Our rivals this year are Cazenovia and Skaneatles,” said senior Ishan Gajra. Their next match is Monday, April 10 against Cazenovia and shortly after, they will face Skaneatles, on Tuesday, April 25.