Vince DeGrado entered Allen Community College’s track and field season last year unsure of what kind of season to expect.
“We didn’t really have any high expectations going into the year, but that changed as the season progressed,” DeGrado said. “We were much better than I thought we might be. That has set the tone for this season.”
The Red Devil thinclads brought home a track championship in the process, winning the 2013 outdoor Jayhawk Conference title and finishing fourth among Region VI teams.
That followed a third-place conference and sixth place Region VI finish in the 2013 indoor season, in which a bad handoff in the 4×400-meter relay was all that kept the Red Devils from a conference sweep.
Now, with the 2014 indoor season’s arrival — Allen’s first indoor meet was Friday in Overland Park — expectations are sky high.
“When you look at our roster, we return probably 90 percent of our best competitors from last year, and the runners we lost, we’ve replaced with others who should be just as good,” DeGrado said.
With a roster of 34 men — the maximum allowed — and nine women, the Red Devils boast plenty of quality, and quantity.
Among the returning standouts is sophomore Terika Henry, who finished third in the nation last year in the 400-meter dash.
“Terika is a special, special athlete,” DeGrado said. “She’ll own every school record from the 60-meter dash through the 400, and probably the 600 meters, by the time this year is over.”
On the men’s side, among the returning standouts are distance runners Brock Artis, Kyle Schauvliege and Tucker Morgan, as well as sophomore transfer Brandon Bernal.
All were part of ACC’s conference cross country championship team last fall.
They’ll be joined by standout sprinters Jethro St. Hubert, Roderick Simmons and Mike Burns.
“It’s hard to single out one or two performers, because we think so highly of so many of them,” DeGrado said. “We’re deep and talented.”
Much of the team’s track and field success can be attributed to the efforts of assistant coach Tony Davis, DeGrado said.
“Tony is a great coach,” he said. “I don’t know how long we’re going to get to keep him before somebody comes and snatches him up.”
The indoor season runs through March 8, with the outdoor season beginning less than a week later. The outdoor season ends May 17.
Allen Community College Indoor Track
2014 Men’s Roster
Patrick Rachford Tonganoxie Distance SO
Brock Artis Tulsa, Okla. Distance SO
Kyle Schauvliege Manhattan Distance SO
Brandon Bernal Sanger, Texas Mid-Distance SO
Tucker Morgan Longwood, Fla., Mid-Distance SO
Angel Vasquez De Soto Distance FR
Salvador Medrano Greenacres, Fla., Distance FR
Dallas Snider Chehalis, WA Mid-Distance FR
Diego Sanchez De Soto Distance FR
Connor Immenschuh Topeka Mid-Distance FR
Trail Spears Lawrence Distance FR
Dawson Colglazier Scranton Mid-Distance FR
Rohan Mullings Royal Palm Beach, Fla., Sprints/Hurdles FR
Zac McCoy Canon City, CO Sprints FR
Gregory Roy West Palm Beach, Fla., Sprints FR
Deandre Henderson Davie, Fla., Sprints FR
Zodani Francois Lauderhill, Fla., Sprints/Hurdles FR
Jethro St.hubert Jupiter, Fla., Sprints/Jumps SO
Royal Gatson Kansas City, Kan. Sprints SO
Antonio Duncan West Park, Fla., Sprints SO
Kyle Smith Freeport, Bahamas Sprints SO
Mike Burns Nassau, Bahamas Jumps SO
Rodrick Simmons Missouri City, Texas Sprints SO
Rondel Simmons Missouri City, Texas Sprints SO
Drew Boggs Topeka Jumps SO
Bruce Barclay Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., Sprints/Hurdles SO
Rickardo Bailey Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., Sprints SO
Kelvin Gant Riverview, Fla., Sprints SO
Jkari Calixte Covington, GA Sprints FR
Jordan Caudill Louisburg Mid-Distance SO
Thomas Broxterman Hoyt Mid-Distance FR
Markeen Caine Junction City Mid-Distance FR
MeShach Adams Tulsa Mid-Distance FR
Daniel Driskill Sperry, Okla. Mid-Distance FR
2014 Women’s Roster
Danae McGee Stroud, Okla. Distance SO
Mahalia Soap Tulsa Distance SO
Caitlin Boeckman Wamego Distance SO
Alison Stevens Wichita Mid-Distance SO
Tirza Soap Tulsa Distance SO
Widline Lageroy Hollywood, Fla., Sprints FR
Vanessa Style Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., Sprints FR
Elesha Alyn Miami, Fla., Sprints FR
Terika Henry Ocoee, Fla., Sprints SO
Hopes high as Allen track season begins
