The Saline Reporter
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Relay team ready to run
Three returning sprinters should make relays dangerous
By Jerry Hinnen, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: April 12, 2007
When Vince Helmuth graduated early and enrolled at the University of Michigan, the Saline track team lost the athlete that provided more than half their team points in their 2006 state meet championship performance.
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But sprinters Sam Burchyett and Branden Post did their part in bringing home that title as well, each running a leg of the 400-meter and 800-meter relays that finished fourth and seventh, respectively.
Now Burchyett and Post are back, as a junior and senior, respectively, and say that this year's team has a chance to be just as special as the 2006 squad.
"We're still in it," Post said this week after the team returned from spring break. "We feel like there is some pressure after last season ... The bar's been boosted. Now we have to match it."
With Post, Burchyett, and junior Chris King all returning, three-quarters of those top-10 state relays are ready to run in 2007.
But because of the loss of Helmuth and fourth relay member and leading long jumper Eric Williams, Post and Burchyett feel that opponents might be overlooking the Hornets.
"Not many people are giving us a chance this year without Eric and Vince," Burchyett said.
Both sprinters feel, naturally, that solid performances in the 400 and 800-meter relays will be key to Saline's success this season.
"They're real important," Burchyett said. "It's always a big race, everybody watches. With three guys back, we're expected to lead the way and get some points.
"With the three of us, even without Eric we should still do really well," Post added.
The biggest hurdle for the team will be adding its fourth member. According to co-head coach Brian Boze, as of this week, the slot was still up for grabs.
Burchyett and Post said that while sprinting might look simple, the timing of passing the baton requires plenty of practice and familiarity with their teammates in the relay.
"We'll have to get used to running with whoever the fourth man is," Burchyett said. "But once we do that, we should be back to where we were last year."
As a senior, there's nothing that Post would want more than to go out with the entire Saline track squad right where it was at the end of last season.
"After what we did last year," he said, "we don't want to do anything less."
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