Windham Sprinter Breaks the Barrier for Program

Windham High School indoor track and field coach Ryan O'Connor has nothing but good things to say about one of his senior sprinters, Derek Gray, and his accomplishments this past indoor track and field season.

For instance, Gray was Windham's only representative at last week's 2012 New England Track and Field Championships, and in fact was the first student at WHS to head to the regional event for indoor track.

That came after a month layoff following a fourth place finish in the state of New Hampshire in the 55m dash. He also tacked on a school record of 6.66 seconds to that performance.

"He's proof that if you want something badly enough, you'll get it," O'Connor said. "He did the things no one ever sees to get him to where he's at now."

While his time at New England's wasn't quite as quick – 6.75 seconds – Gray did finish 15th out of 29 competitiors. As the only runner from WHS, he had a unique training regimen. 

"Derek practiced for close to a month by himself," O'Connor said. "We resumed our lifting program to prep for the spring so we tried to balance two things at once. It's not an easy thing to do."

Gray will also graduate from WHS as the school record-holder in the 300m dash and 4 x 200m relay. O'Connor said that his teammates in that relay, seniors Kennie Padin and CJay DiPrima as well as sophomore Brandon Dreyfuss, were great for Gray to train with.

"Those guys feed off each other and help each other," O'Connor said. "They're a tight-knit group."

O'Connor called Gray's New England Championship appearance the culmination of "years of work."

Gray is the second runner at WHS to go to any New England Championship. Kate Farrell went to New England's for cross country in the fall.