Pennsauken boys' track team is setting the bar high
The teams 4x100 relay team has its sights set on a state championship
The Pennsauken boys' track team has many goals and expectations this season.
For seniors Jaylen Robinson and Martin Booker Jr., and sophomores Nahzir Russell and Donovan Hines, the main objective is to win a state title.
"They are competitors," Pennsauken coach Clint Tabb said. "I throw some pretty hard work their way and they always come back for more. They want to be the best athletes they can be."
The four sprinters finished the 4x100 relay in 42.81 seconds Saturday at the Neshaminy Track Classic.
Based on that impressive early-season perfomance, the dream of becoming state champions is very much attainable.
"I think we will have success because of how we started," Booker said. "I feel good about my team this year."
Booker is coming off a junior season in which he led the Indians to the Group 3 state title. He was the Inquirer's South Jersey boys' track athlete of the year after winning the state title in the 100 (10.82) and 200 (21.89) and anchoring the 4x100 team to a gold medal as well (42.10).
"The entire team pushes each other at practice," Tabb said. "But the kids push Booker extra hard. I think that's the reason he does so well, and it helps the team do better."
Booker, along with junior Braheem Whitfield, is a leader on the team. According to Tabb, the dynamic duo demonstrate how crucial it is to work hard every day.
"I am determined to reach my goals," Booker said." I want to see my team succeed and will do whatever it takes to get them to achieve their own goals and our team goals."
Russell, who finished the 100 in 11.25 at the Group 3 state finals in 2016, guarantees that the team will have continued success after that amazing start at Neshaminy.
"That time was great," Russell said. "Every day at practice we work hard and go the limit. We are going to do really well the rest of the way."
Russell finished the 100 in 11.18 last Saturday, which was second only behind Booker (10.77). The sophomore, who describes himself as hardworking, has already shown his improvement from last year.
Pennsauken will now head into the Woodbury Relays on Saturday and the Penn Relays on April 29-30. Tabb said it would be nice to finish them with blazing speed, but the goal remains another state championship.
Hines, who also ran a leg in that impressive 4x100, expected to finish better than 42.81. But the sophomore said the team works very hard and it will pay off come May and June.
"You always have to be humble about it," Hines said. "But you can never be satisfied, though. You got to be hungry and want more. . . . I want to see the team succeed."
For Robinson, winning is all about proper focus. The senior is determined to end his high school career with a championship, something the Indians are very capable of doing.
"I see another state title for the school," Robinson said. "To get out of here senior year and to get that would be nice . . . we deserve it."
Tabb said he is also confident in his team.
"They are a good group of kids," Tabb said. "Not just those four, but the entire team. They just feed off each other."