2004 Meet of Champions

Paper: Courier-Journal, The (Louisville, KY)

Title: J'town's Petty stars in Meet of Champions

Date: May 20, 2004

TOM WHITUS

Special to The Courier-Journal

Mother Nature provided the rain and thunder while Jeffersontown High School's track and field team provided the greased lightning at the Jefferson County Meet of Champions yesterday at Central.

Senior Joe Petty set the pace for J'town, winning the 100 and 200 meters and helping the 800 relay team triumph.

"Wet weather is my favorite to run in; that's when I turn in my best times," he said.

The J'town senior won the 100 in 10.82 seconds and the 200 in 22.32. Waggener's Rontay Winston ran second to Petty in both races.

"There's a guy from Waggener, he said he was coming after me in the 100," Petty said.

Whether Winston actually called Petty out couldn't be substantiated, but Petty used that as extra motivation.

In the 200, he didn't need any help in winning his favorite race.

"I love running the curve," he said. "That's where I win my races."

And despite a strong showing in the 800 relay, Petty likes the simplicity of the sprints.

"My favorite thing about sprints is that you don't have to worry about so many mistakes," he said.

J'town's Anthony Randle, also a member of the 800 squad, won the 400 in 50.18 seconds. J'town won the 400 relay to sweep the sprint events.

Male's Terrence Lester dominated in the hurdles, winning the 110 highs in 15.01 seconds and the 300 in 41.72.

In the girls' competition Central's Brittney Belle swept the 100 and 200 and was a member of the winning 800 relay team, duplicating Petty's effort. She won the 100 in 12.28 and the 200 in 25.31.

Unlike Petty, however, Belle likes the shorter race.

"It's fast; it's quick. You've got to hit it right there," she said. "I would rather run on straightaways."

Belle, who also ran on the third-place squad in the 400 relay, likes being part of a team.

"I know with a relay I can get help from my teammates, and I can help them too," she said. "In a sprint you're relying on yourself."

Christian Academy's JoEllyn Graham swept the hurdles events, winning the 100 in 15.03 and the 300 in 46.77.

"I was lucky there weren't many puddles in my lane," said Graham, referring to the torrential downpour that occurred just before the meet. "It affects you mentally more than physically."

Winning against the county's best hurdlers was a big confidence-builder.

"Getting the first one behind me was awesome," she said. "It made me want to go out on the track for the 300."

Butler's Asia Brown deserved an award for moxie. The senior was entered in four events, so to conserve energy she made one try in the long jump and let the effort stand. While others took three shots, her leap of 16feet, 21/2 inches stood up for the victory.

She also won the 400 in 57.59 seconds.

"My muscles were warmed up," said Brown, who earlier had competed in the 800 relay. "The endurance and getting out hard" in the 400 helps Brown develop her leaping skills, and while she admits that running is her best talent, she likes the long jump because it's "more exciting."

Trish Todd provided one of the most exciting moments, coming from behind in the anchor leg of the 1,600 relay as Assumption edged Sacred Heart by less than a half-second to win. Earlier she finished second to Brown in the 400.

Sacred Heart started the meet by winning the 3,200 relay.

Author: WHITUS TOM

Section: SPORTS

Page: 03E