Brewer footprints firm on indoor track scene

A traditional power in the Eastern Maine Indoor Track League, the Brewer boys are again making a lot of noise in the league. The Brewer Witches, both the boys’ and girls’ teams, are 3-0 and have won their meets handily.

A big reason for the resurgence of the boys’ team is the development of a powerful corps of sprinters and hurdlers. That the sprinting team is considered a key strength for the Brewer boys is especially noteworthy, since Brewer has long been known more for distance runners than speed merchants.

“We’ve got some real quality athletes,” said Dave Jeffrey, Brewer boys’ and girls’ track coach. “But now, we finally have some sprinters who are a definite strength on our team.”

The Brewer boys had some great sprinters in the early 1980s, but the focus shifted back to distance runners.

Now raw speed is making headlines again in Brewer, thanks to athletes such as Dave Gregory, John Porter, Robert Jones and Robert Smith.

Gregory, a sophomore, and Porter, a senior, head up a talented group of sprinters and hurdlers. In the first three regular season meets, Gregory nosed out Porter each time in the 60-yard dash – but only by hundredths of a second.

Porter got his revenge in the 300, however, beating him twice in two races (Porter didn’t run the 300 one week).

“It really helps having someone like John to push me in races and in practice,” said Gregory. “John is my main competitor.”

Sophomore Smith jumped out to a quick start in the first week of the regular season, winning the 60 hurdles by a comfortable margin. Smith missed a meet due to illness and injury, but came back last week.

Seniors Robert Jones and Scott Mellen are also excelling. Jones has a first- and a second-place and a second-place finish in the 600, and has shaved a second off his time after two weeks. Mellen has won the high jump twice and is a talented runner as well.

“I’ve been pleased with how the year has gone so far,” Porter said. “I think we have a lot of potential. … and I think an Eastern Maine championship is a definite possibility if we keep it up.”

Juniors Josh Runyan and Shane Sargent are also making strides. Runyan is doing well in the hurdles and the triple jump, and Sargent has scored points in the pole vault and 300.

“I’ve been really pleased with the progress of all these guys,” said Jeffrey. “I love watching these guys come up through the ranks and progress.”

If the team’s success and improvement continues, Jeffrey’s sprinters may help the team race to an Eastern Maine, and even state, championship season.