Gaffney track team sets sight on bigger competition
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Sports Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

James Davis

When Gaffney track coach James Davis was making this year's schedule, his team requested a return trip to Union for the McDonald's Classic.

The McDonald's Classic will be held April 18 at 5 p.m. in Union. The track meet will feature Clinton, Orangeburg- Wilkisville, and several teams from the Lower State.

"Our kids have gone to the McDonald's Classic for the past couple years," Davis said. "They enjoy going to the meet in Union. The kids wanted me to put it on the schedule again this year."

Gaffney runners will have a rare chance to compete against the top track athletes from the Lower State. The Indians will size up their state competition while making their final push before the region championship on April 25.

Gaffney (11-2) is coming off victories over Laurens and McDonald's Classic host Union. Union was one of the teams the Indians defeated last week in a track meet at Broome High.

The Indians have been strong as expected in the sprint events.

Returning state qualifiers Joe Craig and Kenard Lipscomb are sophomore sprinters that finished seventh in the state last year. Craig won the 100 meters and Dennis Dawkins won the 200 meters in the recent meet at Union.

The McDonald's Classic will offer more variety than the typical relay races that the Indians have excelled in this season. The team will compete in 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter races as well as hurdles , long jump and distance events.

Gaffney looks to build on its improved performance in the field events. The Indians had lost ground in previous years with a lack of athletes available to consistently compete in track and field events.

"Our goal is to double the number of kids we send to the state meet this year. Our kids just need to continue to work hard. We will see where we can go from there."

Junior Denzell Good and Darius Dawkins will look to continue their strong efforts in the shot put and discus at the McDonald's Classic.

"I have been very pleased with our season so far. Our only losses were to Spartanburg and Dorman, the defending state champion. We only lost to Dorman by three points in a meet earlier this year," Davis said. "We are looking forward to going to the McDonald's Classic. This will be a good opportunity for us to improve our times as we get ready for the region track meet."

Gaffney will have its own track facility for the 2009 season. An eight-lane competition rubberized track will be built on the current Gaffney High practice field.

"It's motivating our kids," he said. "Most of our kids are young so they are looking forward to having a home track meet."