Defending state champ Cinco Ranch confident it can repeat despite losses

By SARAH HORNADAYCopyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

With the departure of athletes who accounted for more than half of the individual points on last year's state-title team, Cinco Ranch might not have everyone believing in the Cougars' chances to repeat as boys track and field champions.

But there are no doubters at Cinco Ranch.
"From day one after we won state, we've been focused on state," senior Queito Teasley said.
The Cougars return two individuals — senior high jumper Scott Sellers and senior hurdler Trevor Gerland — who accounted for 22 of their 47 individual points. And Gerland, Teasley and junior Andrew Usoro make up three-fourths of an 800 relay team that finished second in the state.
Those veterans alone don't guarantee another state title for Cinco Ranch, since the Cougars need to find a way to make up for the graduation losses of Tyler Whitham (13 points) and distance runners Colby Keithan and Kyle Miller, who accounted for 12 points between them.
But the answer is relatively simple — relays.
How many relay teams does Cinco Ranch coach Gary Derks think he can take to state?
With a sly smile, Derks puts up three fingers.
"Everybody has an opportunity (to win state)," Derks said. "It's the best plan, hardest work and who pulls it off. It could be anybody. Cinco Ranch is our biggest competition. We're not going to let others determine what we do."
That means all hands on deck for the relays. The Cougars will play around with combinations in the coming weeks, but if they need Sellers, a state-record high jumper, or anyone else in on the relays, they will be there.
"I like pretty much every event in track," Sellers said. "If (Derks) needs me, I'll do it."
Cinco Ranch will battle perennial powerhouse Elsik as well as newcomer Fort Bend Marshall for the Region III title.
Last season, Marshall scored 26 points in the regional meet with no seniors. With all of their athletes back, the Buffaloes will be a force in the region, but Marshall is not ready to claim the Cougars' crown just yet.
"I would say you should take us into consideration," Marshall coach Dennis Brantley said. "But Cinco Ranch is the defending state champion. They are the team to beat."
sarah.hornaday@chron.com
Boys Athletes To Watch
Arkeith Brown, El Campo•Finish fifth in regional triple jump (44-4).•Member of state 400 and 800 relay teams.
Jamaal Charles, Port Arthur Memorial•Member of state 800 and 1,600 relay teams.•Had one of the nation's best times in the 110 hurdles (13.67) last year.•Had one of the nation's best times in the 300 hurdles (37.05) last year.
Adam Fretwell, Cypress Creek•Regional long jump runner-up (23-0).•Third at regionals in 110 hurdles (14.38).•Seventh at regional in 300 hurdles (39.88).
Trevor Gerland, Cinco Ranch•Member of state runner-up 800 relay team.•Placed second in 110 hurdles at regionals (14.16) and fourth at state (14.06).•Was fifth in 300 hurdles at regionals with top returning time (39.13).
Whitney Prevost, Texas City•Finished fifth at state in the 100 (10.74).•Has top returning 200 time of 21.71 set at Region III-4A meet.
Scott Sellers, Cinco Ranch•State-record holder in high jump (7-4).•National-record holder for indoor high jump (7-4 1/2 ).•State triple jump runner-up.
Jamarick Spradley, Boling•Second at state in the 100 (10.87).
Brandon Washington, Fort Bend Marshall•State runner-up in 400 (47.44) and defending regional champion (48.91).
-- SARAH HORNADAY