By: Carolyn M. Hartko
The South Brunswick High School boys’ track team welcomed a new coach in the best way possible. The Vikings posted an 85-45 victory over Woodbridge in their season opener this past Tuesday, winning 10 out of the 15 events.
This was his first victory as a head coach, but SBHS physical education teacher Dan Kerekes was an assistant track coach last spring, and an assistant with the winter track team the past two years. And he has first hand experience of the competition in the Greater Middlesex Conference, because Kerekes was a sprinter for East Brunswick High School. Kerekes didn’t have much time to get used to his new position.
"Three weeks before the season started, I got the job," he said. "It’s been good. It’s a lot of work, but it’s rewarding to see the kids’ progress."
The Vikings went through a rough re-building year last spring, finishing 2-5 in the GMC’s Red Division. Two letterwinners graduated in June, one distance runner, and a member of the 4×400 meter relay team. The good news is that the Vikings are returning a talented group of upperclassmen this spring with eight seniors and eight juniors. Kerekes sees his team as a well-rounded group with a few experienced leaders in each area.
Senior Steve Folkes is the team’s "iron man" this year. Although he is primarily a hurdler, he can also sprint, run the 4×400, and help out with the jumps.
The distance events will have a lot of senior leadership with Dan McDonald, Dan Klag, Scott Yeager and Matt Randal. Randal, the Vikings’ only nominee to the all-Red team last spring, is the current school record holder in the 800. Junior Ankush Patel will also contribute in the distance races.
The weight team will be junior dominated with standouts Sean Carner and Samer Atallah carrying the shot put. Luke Steepy and Grant Hackworth specialize in the discus. Seniors Chuck So and Chris Shiraldi will throw the javelin. Two freshmen that were looking good in pre-season are Prescott Hill and Gary Marks.
Last spring, James Ivey made a splash in the jumping events as a freshman. This year, he is already impressive, winning the long jump against Woodbridge with a leap of just over 22 feet. Juniors Terrel Thompson and James Promise are also looking good in the jumps, and sprinter Angel Ayala will help out here sometimes. Senior Rob Cioffi is the team’s leading pole vaulter. Sophomore Alex Persaud is working out with the vaulters and jumpers.
"I’m not really concerned about any one area," Kerekes said. "Our sprinters are still young, but they’re coming along good. As the season goes along, they’ll get better."
Juniors Ayala, Thompson and Promise will form the backbone of the sprint squad. One freshman to keep an eye on is Keith Benjamin.
South Brunswick is again expecting very tough competition in the Red Division. And once again, it looks like Old Bridge will be the team to beat.
Although improving the dual meet record is not out of the question, the Vikings are planning on concentrating on individual achievements this year. Each athlete has individual goals to reach, and there could be some school records reset over the course of the season. The 4×400 squad, shot put relay and high jump relay are the ones with the best chance of setting school records. And the Vikings are hoping to see one or two people at this year’s state Meet of Champions, especially since South is hosting that event again this year.
