(Left to right) Jaylon Hardaway, Justin Torres, Maurice Charles and Ethan Martin have helped push the Lehman boys track and field team to berths in several regional events this season. The Class 4A Region IV Track and Field Meet will take place May 2-3 at Alamo Stadium. (Photo by Judy Cooper)
By MARK CAUL
In the three seasons head coach Michael Laney has been at the helm, he has instilled a strong desire to succeed at the highest level in his Lehman track and field team.
After struggling with numbers in their first couple of seasons, the Lobos have become a consistent force thanks to a couple of sprinters that let their actions on the track speak for themselves.
Senior Justin Torres has made his mark in track over the past two years by capturing two consecutive 300-meter hurdle titles and junior Jaylon Hardaway has continued his family’s tradition by anchoring two of Lehman’s top relay squads.
“Those two guys are the leaders of this team,” Laney said. “They both are pretty soft spoken but they lead in different ways. Justin has been the best runner on our team all year and hasn’t finished any lowered than second at any meet.”
Hardaway has continued to be solid in spite of a lingering football injury that has hampered him off and on throughout the outdoor season. He will be one of the keys to Lehman finishing in the top two at regionals.
“Injuries have slowed Jaylon down a little bit this year but he still has turned in a solid season,” said Laney. “He has also put his teammates first by sacrificing an event he has performed well in over the past few years (400-meter dash). That’s the type of leadership this team has.”
Since Laney has taken over, the Lehman boys have far surpassed any expectations people may have had for the fledgling track program. Winning has now become a habit at the campus.
The Lehman boys were able to boast several regional qualifiers.
Both relay teams (4X400, 4X200) have advanced to the regional meet along with Torres in the 300-meter hurdles.
The Lobos have been able to reach the cusp of the state meet and Laney believes his squad has the work ethic and talent to be a strong contender at the Region IV track meet in San Antonio next Monday and Tuesday at Alamo Stadium in San Antonio.
Junior Trevor McClintock has flourished as the first leg of the 4X200 relay team on his first season on the varsity level.
“Trevor has probably been the biggest surprise for us this season,” said Laney. “He has put in the work to make himself stronger.”
Both of the regional relay teams have continued to improve on their times as the season has progressed and are peaking at just the right time.
Torres and Hardaway were regional qualifiers last season as a part of the 4X400 and 4X200 relay teams.
While, seniors Darius Jones and Ethan Martin will also be making their second appearances at regionals after competing at last spring’s regional meet in the mile relay.
In addition to wins at the Lobo Relays, both relay teams also secured high finishes at the Canyon, Manor, Wimberley and Hays Rebel Relays.
Torres will be relishing his last looking forward to competing at regional in a few weeks and hopes to improve upon his times at the district meet.
Laney is hoping for a great performance from his relay squad on the season’s biggest stage.
“We have been a team that’s really worked our tails off to get here so I wouldn’t expect us to have anything less than one of our best races,” said Laney.
