IRVINGTON, NJ – The Irvington High School boys’ track and field team has high expectations this spring based on the performances from this past winter season, said head coach Marvin Hawkins.
Sophomore Dwight Henry has established himself as one of the top sprinters/hurdlers in the state. During the indoor season, he placed third in the 55-meter dash with a great time (6.65) and made it to the Meet of Champions in the 55 hurdles (7.85).
Senior Michael Veltz is one of the top 400-meter/800-meter runners in the county. Last spring he ran 50.3 in the 400.
Junior Desmond Marfo had a breakout indoor season, running 4:44 in the 1,600 meters, placing third in the Super Essex Conference Championships and running 2:02 in the 800 at the state sectional, barely missing qualifying for the Meet of Champions.
Freshman Devin Seward will be a major contributor as well. He ran 53.0 in the 400 and anchors the 4×400-meter relay that qualified for the Penn Relays.
The Blue Knights will also get a boost from junior transfer sprinter/jumper Mohamed Toure and senior sprinters/hurdlers Wesvendji Jean-Charles, Geovanei Malcolm, Brian Fisher, Trenton Dundas. Dundas is also a talented javelin thrower.
The throwers will be led by seniors Keron Smith, Dante Layne, and Richard Norman, and junior Kyle Morley.
“All in all, this is a well-balanced team that should make the other teams in the conference, county, and state take notice!” said Hawkins.
Schedule
April 2, Orange and Belleville, at Irvington
April 5, Barringer and Nutley, at Irvington
April 12, at West Essex
April 16, Bloomfield, at Irvington
April 19, at East Side with West Side.
April 21, Bulldog Relays at Shabazz Stadium, Newark
April 24, at North 13th St. Tech
April 26-28, Penn Relays
May 4, Essex County Relays
May 12, SEC Championships
May 18-19, Essex County Individual Championships
May 25-26, State Sectional Championships
June 1-2, State Group Championships
June 6, Meet of Champions
NOTE – Hawkins will be inducted into the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, April 8, at the Westlin in Princeton. He also is among the inductees of this year’s IHS Athletic Hall of Fame. Hawkins has led his teams to five boys’ indoor track state section titles and two boys’ outdoor state section titles. He also led the boys’ indoor track team to three Essex County titles and one boys’ Essex County outdoor title in 2008.
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