ERIC HAMILTON -1998

Eric was an integral part of our team for 4 years. He qualified for the state meet in the 100 meters in his freshman year, qualified in the 400 meter relay in his sophomore, junior and senior year, was on the school record setting 400 meter relay (42.1) in his senior year, and placed 6th in the 100 meters in the state meet as a senior. He was one of those “surprises” that every team needs to win a state meet.

Eric was an additional qualifier for the 100 meters in 1998 and was not given much of a chance to do anything as an individual performer. He made the finals as the 9th qualifier. He had a tremendous start in the finals and years of sprint technique training paid off as he was able to stay relaxed and maintain his form through the length of the race.

Sprint drills are the “little” things that great performers pay attention to during practice. Eric paid attention and he reaped the benefits.

KENNY MERRITT - 1998

When Kenny Merritt came to Park High School in the fall of 1994, he may have been one of the more heralded distance runners, ever to enter Park High School. As talented as he was, as a freshman he did not compete at the varsity level in either track or cross country. As a sophomore, he was an integral part of a nationally ranked cross country team that finished 4th in the state meet and later ran a 10:05 3200 meters in track. After a mediocre junior year in both cross country ands track, Kenny really dedicated himself to being an outstanding runner as a senior. His P.R. of 16:03 in cross country at the SEC Conference Meet was one of the top times of the 1997 season. A week later at the sectional meet, Kenny finished a disappointing 9th and did not qualify for the state meet. Over the winter he dedicated himself to the weight room despite having an afternoon job and did most of his winter running at night. Indoors at the Madision West Relays Kenny finished second to the eventual state champion in the 3200 meters with a time of 9:42.6. Over the next month he showed a competitiveness that cuminated in his fifth place finish at the state meet with a time of 9:42.6.

Kenny is an example of an athlete who overcame a number of disappointments in his career, never quit and reaped the benefits in the end. His remarkable yet calm performance at the state meet, knowing that the hopes of a repeat state championship hinged on his place in the 3200 meters, exemplifyed the maturity the he had gained as an athlete and as an individual.

MARK RUPNOW - 1999

The 1999 State Track Meet was a significant one for Mark because he ran in it. At first glance this may not seem significant for an athlete who placed 8th in the 800 in 1998 but it was for Mark. You see, Mark tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a football game in the fall of 1998.

Many athletes would have given up facing what seemed to be enormous odds against their ever running that season but not Mark. I can still remember him coming up to me in January of 1999 and saying "hey Harv, I ran for ten minutes today". This guy was a leader from the time that he stepped on the track at Park. He was probably a leader many years before that but it has been my honor unfortunately to have only know him since his Freshman year. He never backed off in a race or in practice and always gave 110%. This has become a clicheish phrase but in Marks' case it was 100% true. Mark ran 1:58.37 in the 1999 State Meet which was only .31 seconds off of his all time best

In addition to running the 800, Mark was also outstanding for us in the 400 and the 600. He was a team captain in 1999. His best times were 1:58.06 in the 800, 1:23.9 in the 600, and had a relay split of 50.7 in the 400. He qualified for the State meet in the 4 X 800 as a freshman and a sophmore, the 4 X 400 as a sophmore and a junior and the 800 as a junior and a senior

Mark enrolled at the University of Kentucky in the fall of 1999 and walked on to the Cross Country and Track Teams. In December in his first collegiate track meet, he ran a personal indoor best of 1:58.0 in the 800 meters. This is probably the start of a successful collegiate carreer for him whether it is on or off of the track. Mark serves as an inspiration to all of us as to what hard work and dedication can bring.