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Track NewsRowlett junior track athlete puts on a show05:55 PM CDT on Sunday, May 11, 2008
AUSTIN – After Marquise Goodwin won the long jump early Saturday afternoon, the Rowlett junior had simple plans for the next three hours. "Just chill and stay out of the sun," he said. Good idea with four more events still ahead. But even when Goodwin was in the shade, the spotlight was on him. Around Mike A. Myers Stadium, fans and track officials were talking about the guy who won the long jump by more than two feet. And that was before Goodwin won four more medals and helped Rowlett pile up 70 points to win the Class 5A title. "We're all just in awe right now. I don't know what else to say," Rowlett coach David Nanez said. "I've never seen an athlete like him before, and I'll never see another one." Goodwin's most amazing stretch came after he had already won gold in the long jump and triple jump. At 6:05 p.m., he ran the second leg of Rowlett's winning 4x100 relay. At 6:40, he won silver in the 100 meters. At 6:50, Goodwin was bent over, still catching his breath as the gun sounded for the start of the 4x200 relay. "I was so tired," he said. "It was one of the worst feelings I've ever had, but I knew it was for a good cause. A state championship was on the line." And the state championship was in the bag after Rowlett finished third in the 4x200. Goodwin ran a strong third leg, but his left hamstring tightened and he pulled up slightly before handing the baton to anchor Nick Smith. The rains came down soon after, delaying the meet by nearly two hours. That gave Goodwin time to rest and think about what he and his teammates had done. One of the worst feelings ever – tired, aching, lying on the track – had become a feeling he'll never forget. "It's one of the best feelings I've ever had," Goodwin said. "We worked hard. We deserved it." Despite Goodwin's spectacular performance, it was a team effort. Jared Jackson, Nick Smith and Kyle Clemons joined Goodwin on the golden 4x100 team. The bronze-winning 4x200 team included Hilbert Jackson in place of Clemons, who won the 400 to pad Rowlett's lead. That was enough to keep Rowlett in front of Lewisville, which finished second with 66 points. Lewisville senior Brandon Tucker won the 110 and 300 hurdles and won a silver in the 4x100, but Goodwin's three golds, silver and a bronze stole the spotlight. A spotlight that got brighter as the day went on. "Everybody wanted to talk to him," Nanez said. "It was like trying to get a rock star out of here." |
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