Seahawks Track and Field Season Up and Running

The Sunlake Seahawks competed last week in the first track meet of the season, along with Land O' Lakes High, Wiregrass Ranch and Gulf. 

Sunlake's teams both came in third.

The Hawks benefit from a healthy track-football relationship.

"We work really close together, and (Bill)Browning and I have a good relationship," said head boys coach Nick Carroll.

Two of the more prominent athletes on the 2012 Seahawk team are the two wide receivers of the football team in junior Eddie Burgos and senior Jamal Jones. Burgos won the long jump at 19 feet 11 inches and placed second in the 100 meters with a time of 11.01 seconds.

"I feel like there's some chemistry transferred from football," said Burgos.

"Those guys are really competitive," said Carroll.

Both Burgos and Jones run the 100 meter, jump and run relays. The 4x100 meter boys team consists of: junior Ricardo Williams, Burgos, Jones and senior Michael Lopez; all players on the 2011 football team.

"We had two bad exchanges today but it was the first time they all ran together," said Carroll. "I think they could be number one or two in the county and hopefully place at regionals."

Junior Travis Manecke is the returning district champion in disc and shot. He threw 139 feet 5 inches in disc and 45 feet 5.5 inches in shot at the Gator Quad Meet in February; winning both events. Senior Kenneth Fessel ran a 2 minute 17 second 800 meter race to claim first place.

On the girls side, senior Antasia Perez returns to her spot in the 100 meter. She placed second at the Gator Quad Meet. Perez also anchors the girls 4x100 meter team.

"She's gets consistently better every year," said Carroll.

Newcomer and freshman Taylor Norberg ran a strong 69-second quarter mile— good enough to win her heat.