Organizers promise Jesuit-Sheaner Relays will adhere to schedule

03/21/2003

By BRANDON GEORGE / The Dallas Morning News

The most important time at a high school track and field meet in the eyes of many isn't one that is determined by a hand-held or electronic device. It's the time on a wristwatch.

The Jesuit-Sheaner Relays, a boys-only event in its 39th year, is one of the few meets that has maintained a reputation of sticking to a schedule. The dedication to remaining on time rewards the athletes and fans.

"Staying on time is a priority," said Herb Sheaner, the former Jesuit track coach who started the meet in 1964 when the school introduced a first-of-its-kind all-weather rubber track. "That's a necessity. It's printed in the program when the events will be run. Coaches know it, and the fans know it. It's just something that I grew up with in track meets years ago. We keep it that way."

Meet officials and meet director Bob Molyet, in his second year as Jesuit track coach, will face their toughest test of staying on time when the meet begins at 8 a.m. Saturday with field events.

This year's Jesuit-Sheaner Relays has its largest field: 46 of the area's top teams and more than 600 participants.

"I don't think we'll get off schedule," Molyet said. "I don't think that's going to be a problem at all."

Added Sheaner: "We'll keep an eye on that, I guarantee you. If it disrupts our ability to have someone out there and have them leave before sundown, we'll make changes."

Molyet and Sheaner said the key to keeping their track meet on time is the quality of officials and the number of volunteer parents. Also key is the advantage of having two automatic timing systems at the meet, which allows officials to be reading the results of one heat while the second camera is focusing on the runners getting in the blocks for the next race. Most meets have just one electronic timer. "We have good quality, and that makes it nice," Sheaner said. "You like to see the good stuff, and that's all we got really."