BonnerSprings.com

The Bonner Springs High School boys track team placed second at the Class 5A state meet last week led by the atomic twins, Jonathan and Jeremy Walker.

This was the best finish for a Bonner Springs track team since the 1970s. Coach Jim Mitchell was very ecstatic with the performances of his team at Wichita. Mitchell, whose expertise is coaching sprinters, once again did an excellent job with the Braves' sprinting corps led by the Walkers. Many will probably remember Mitchell winning the state championship while coaching at Schlagle led by world class sprinter Maurice Greene. It's just too bad the Walker family didn't have triplets.

Mitchell has had his eye set on breaking the 400-meter relay record at state, and his team did just that last week with the foursome of the Walkers, Ian Briggs and L.T. Lee. The Walkers combined for 54 of the 58 Bonner Springs points and the Braves came within one half-inch of sharing the title. In the triple jump Jonathan Walker was setting in third place and on the Bishop Meige jumper's last attempt he edged Walker by a half-inch and cost the Braves two points. Those two points were the difference as Emporia edged BSHS 70-68 in the team standings.

I have been covering Bonner Springs sports for over 50 years and to the best of my knowledge the performances by the Walker twins were the two best individual performances ever at the state meet by a Brave participant. The atomic twins combined for a total of five gold medals, and with Jonathan's win in the 110-meter high hurdles it was his second straight gold medal in that event. Mitchell said he couldn't be more proud of the performances of his runners at Wichita, and he said "You know what? They will both be back next year."

Now we have to work on getting some points in the field events or the distance runs. James Carter picked up the other points for the Braves with a third-place finish in the 800-meter run. The big improvement in our track program is very encouraging, since all the successes we had back in the 1970s under coach Ken Russell. What is not to like about the Bonner Springs track program with all their excellent facilities that have been added in recent years? The Braves' track, which is now a 400-meter facility, is a state-of-the-art track and is one of the better ones in the area with all of its improvements. The apron for the high jump is a big improvement along with the improved areas for the field events. Back in the glory of the 1970s the Braves thrived with several good distance runners and their state championships relied on having a balanced team. Coach Ken Atwell had much success with his cross country team winning state in 1978 and was largely responsible for a nucleus of good distance runners for the track team. Mitchell is really looking forward to his summer vacation after several stressful days on the track. One of the things I have been impressed with by Mitchell is his dedication and total interest in the track program. May the track gods provide him with maybe a shot putter, discus thrower or javelin thrower or he would settle for four or five state class distance runners. The Walker twins will take care of the rest.

Comments