Amherst's Jones is section favorite in long jump
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Amherst's Dave Szymkowiak pulls ahead of the pack in the 1600-meters at the eighth Early Bird Invitational at John F. Kennedy High School on Saturday April 14. Szymkowiak, a junior, won the race in 4:52.02 and will be the Tigers' top distance runner. Photo by Patrick McPartland Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

The top high jumper in Section VI during the indoor season takes a stab at ruling the outdoor season.

Amherst Central senior Willie Jones, who broke the indoor track school record in the high jump with a 6-foot-7 and placed third at the New York State Championships, is the favorite to win a section crown in the outdoor season.

Tigers coach Jason Cyrek feels Jones has a good shot of breaking Amherst's outdoor triple-jump school record of 6-foot-7¾. Jones should also high jump and long jump.

Cyrek lauded jumping coach Bob LeFauve for helping Jones with his form.

Junior Viron Hale (triple jump) and senior David Robinson-Gault (long jump, triple jump) also make the jumping events a team strength.

Hale will also participate in the hurdles.

Junior David Szymkowiak, who set the school record in the 1,000 during indoor, is off to a great start in outdoor, taking first in the 1,600 (4:52.02) and third in the 800 (2:10.75) at the eighth Early Bird Invite held on Saturday, April 14 at John F. Kennedy High School.

Others who should contribute are junior Elliott Bible (400, 800) and sophomores De'Shawn Hough (hurdles, sprints), Bertrum Smith (sprints) and Pharoah Gayles (sprints).
          Amherst Central
            2007 Schedule
4-24 Starpoint............... 4:30 p.m.
4-28 Ken West Invitational (Crosby
    Field) .......................... 10 a.m.
5-1 at South .................. 4:30 p.m.
5-8 at Pioneer............... 4:30 p.m.
5-12   Starpoint   Team   Challenge

(Starpoint High School)   10 a.m.
5-15 East ....................... 4:30 p.m.
5-21 All-Amherst Championships
(Amherst High School) ... 4 p.m.
5-25 ECIC Championships (Alden
High School) ..................... 3 p.m.
5-26 ECIC Championships (Alden
High School) ................... 10 a.m.
6-1   Section   VI   Championships
(Starpoint High School) .... noon
6-2   Section   VI   Championships
(Starpoint High School) .... noon
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com