Track Team Hot to Trot

by Steve Vedder, Olivet Echo, April 27, 1977

A young Olivet track team has caused their coach to be "very satisfied" so far this year.

Coach Clifford Larkins says he was "satisfied with the indoor season." The first couple of outdoor meets were "not as good but we were coming along. The last two meets I was very impressed with."

Two school records have already been broken. Jim Cherven over threw the discus mark and Derrell Jenkins broke the 1000 yard run record.

Larkins believes that there are several people this season who have shown potential. According to Larkins, Lloyd Damon could break an age-old school record in the mile. Junior Barry Kloenhamer in the half-mile and frosh Tim Hendricks in the quarter-mile have also been men to watch.

Glenn Tarrant has high-jumped 6'4" this season and Larkins feels that Tarrant can qualify for the nationals. To do so, he must jump 6'7".

Another junior, Paul Van Gessel, has been impressive while throwing the javelin.

The team has been handicapped by a lack of depth. The lack of sprinters has been a definite hindrance, although Larkins believes Pat Peregoy has helped in the 100 and 220 yard sprints. This absence of depth was reflected in the fact that although the team was able to take some firsts against Albion, the Brittons were able to place more people.

The outlook for the MIAA meet to be held April 29-30 at Alma is not bad. According to Larkins, "we should do better in the league meet than we did in the duels." The reason for this is that in the league meet, everybody tends to knock everybody else off.

A large portion of this year's team are young athletes. Once the necessary depth develops, there is no reason why the Olivet track team can't be stronger and looking ahead to a stronger season in 1978.