Kerns provides speed, leadership for Ironton
Published 12:00 am Sunday, May 29, 2005
Shane Kerns is pushing it to the max.
The Ironton Fighting Tigers senior track standout has qualified for the Division II regional track meet in four events, the maximum amount of events permitted by the rules.
Kerns went 19-feet, 11-and one-half inches to place second in the long jump at the district meet last week. He then ran a leg on the winning 4×100-meter relay, the 4×200 relay that was second and the 4×400 team that placed fourth.
Although Kerns is more than happy to participate in four events, he said the pace takes its toll.
"It's rough, but I just have to suck it up for the team. It's something I have to do," Kerns said. "At this point I'm in good shape. If I can't do it now, I can't do it all.
"If I'm between events, it takes a lot out of me to run back and forth and do a relay. I've got to have a lot of strength and endurance. I feel like I'm rushed all the time. If I'm in the long jump and they call for my event, it puts a lot of stress on me."
Ironton coach Greg Cronacher said Kerns has taken more of a leadership role and the team is the better for it.
"He's been there for four years and he stepped it up this year and took the leadership role," Cronacher. "He has good work habits."
Kerns admits that the long jump is his favorite event. Cronacher said Kerns has a chance to reach his goal of the state meet.
"He hasn't fulfilled his long jump, but it will come. He hasn't had as good a jump as he can get," Cronacher said.
"Shane can jump 21, 22 feet. If he can hit the board, he'll be there. He's getting focused and I have confidence in him that he can hit that big jump."
Besides the long jump, Ironton has a chance to advance to the state meet in the three relays, especially the 4×100 meters.
"I think our 4×100 can advance because we have better intermediate runners. We're strong because we have more sprinters than endurance runners," Kerns said. "But I think we're good enough that we can cut our time and get out in the other relays."
Cronacher agreed. He said the relay teams have room for improvement and Kerns is one of the reason's why he's optimistic.
"Each year Shane has progressed. His speed has improved and he's a solid anchor," Cronacher said.
The 4×100-meter relay team is comprised of Craig Stamper, Shawon Miller, D.J. Carter and Kerns. The 4×200 team has Marc Carter, Miller, Stamper and Kerns and the 4×400 has the quartet Stamper, Miller, Carter and Kerns.
"I'm hoping to advance to Friday and then in something, I don't a care what it is, to the state meet."
The regional preliminary running events beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday and the Finals are Friday at 4:30 p.m.
The top four qualifiers in the regionals advance to the state meet next week at the Jesse Owens Track Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University.