Steven Clark (left) and his Harlan teammates, shown here, battling East St. Louis at the DeLaSalle Invite has soared in the Public League rankings.
In the pre-season class AA rankings Harlan was ranked #3 in class AA. However, after the first few weeks of the indoor track season, it is evident that Harlan is undoubtedly the most improved team from last year in the Public League. A resurgence in coaching and commitment has led Harlan to incredbile meet perfromances including an upset over defending champion East St. Louis (minus several of their top runners) at the DeLaSalle Showdown. Harlan is led by sprinter Darien Williams (sr) who is amongst the CPS leaders in several events including the 55 meter dash (6.36 seconds), 200 meter dash (23.54), and the triple jump (40-3"). Harlan also has much improved George DeBerry (sr) from their football team who has thrown a Public League indoor best 45-6 in the shot put. Don't think, Harlan is all sprinters. Harlan also has a young but talented distance team. 800 meter runner Vincent Perkins (jr) has emerged as a potential 800 meter scorer for the Public League when he ran a 2:07 earlier this year. Harlan, also may have found a new distance star in freshman Dominique Crutcher. Cruthcher, broke the coveted 5:00 barrier last week when he ran a 4:59 at the DeLaSalle Showdown.
I'm not ready to crown Harlan as a challenger to dethrone defending city champ Lane Tech. But I will say that Harlan is by far the top class AA CPS team.Traditional city track powers Whitney Young, Morgan Park, and Mather better look in your rear view mirror because coming up quickly is Harlan.
2009 Class AA Boys TrackRankings (Feb 28, 2009)
1. Harlan
2. Payton
3. Marshall
4. Robeson
5. Kenwood
6. Manley
others: Harper, Lakeview, Hirsch, Senn, Northlawndale
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