Depth, strong leadership surrounds East track
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville East senior Greg French took second in the 110 hurdles at last year's Section VI Championships.

The Williamsville East boys outdoor track team has more depth in years, and coach Cameron Townsend hopes it will pay dividends this spring.

East's boys roster has approximately 50 students.

Townsend has strong senior leadership at most events. Matthew Pawlicki's best races are the 200 and open 400. Colin Begy runs the open 400 and 800. Greg French leaps the 110 and 400 hurdles and runs the open 400. Andrew Macdonald competes in the 1,600. Zinan Cheng can run the open 100, 200 and long jump. Pawlicki, Begy, French, Macdonald and Cheng are each team captains and have been with the team for at least three years. Pawlicki has run for East since eighth grade.

Begy is coming off an appearance at the indoor track state meet in the 600 as part of the intersectional medley relay. Macdonald ran the fastest indoor track 1,600 time in the last 25 years, finishing in 4:44.

French took second in the 110 hurdles at outdoor sectionals last year.

"They're a bunch of hard-working athletes who get along well," said Townsend of his seniors. "They've continued to improve every year. The times have come down, and that's a credit to their dedication."

Athletes Townsend thinks will be able to score points are juniors Scott Ryan (1,600, 3,200), Dan Egan (sprints, hurdles and long jump) and Simon Park (sprints and hurdles).

Townsend said there are a lot of talented freshmen and sophomores in the program who have looked good in the preseason and hopefully will improve.
East 2008 Schedule
4-19 East at WNY Officials Relays
(Erie Community College - South
Campus, Jim Ball Stadium)..... 9
a.m.
4-24 at South ................ 4:30 p.m.
4-26 at Kenmore Track and Field
Invitational (Crosby Field) ...... 9
a.m.
4-29 at Pioneer.................. 5 p.m.
5-3 at Depew Wildcat Relays
(John F. Kennedy High School)
......................................... 1:30 p.m.
5-6 at Starpoint ............ 4:30 p.m.
5-10 at Starpoint Spartan Team
Challenge (Starpoint High
School) .......................... 9:30 a.m.
5-13 Iroquois................. 4:30 p.m.
5-17 at Joe Paterniti Memorial
Track and Field Classic
(Jamestown Strider Field)..... 10
a.m.
5-20 Amherst ................ 4:30 p.m.
5-27 at Town of Amherst Championships
(Amherst High School)
......................................... 4:30 p.m.
5-30 at ECICs (John F. Kennedy
High School) ................ 4:30 p.m.
5-31 at ECICs (John F. Kennedy
High School) ....................... noon
6-6 at Section VI Championships
(Jamestown High School, Strider
Field) .................................... noon
6-7 at Section VI Championships
(Jamestown High School, Strider
Field) .................................... noon