Five Hills Track & Field Club

Mother’s Day Annual Fundraiser Mother’s Day is always a success, and the Five Hills Track & Field Club has recently spring boarded their season with a $1,042 Mother Day Raffle. Most of the 60 athletes and their family members participated in the Jack Rabbits’ Annual Fundraiser, which shall assist in the reduction of out of pocket expense to participating members and their families. The local track club offers driven developmental instructions for competing athletes. The first four track meet of the season shall pay for all raffle participants, which a great saving for many of the Jack Rabbits athletes. The winner of the raffle was Mrs. Dionne Riley of Killeen, Staff Sergeant in the United States Army (Fort Hood). She was thrilled being called by Head Coach Robert L. Griffin, Jr. Jack Rabbit Troy Vital (15) not only raffled Mrs. Riley the winning ticket, but he was one of four top rafflers. The Five Hills Track & Field Club had four outstanding raffling athletes. A second drawing was in order to determine who would receive the top two prizes. Jack Rabbits’ Brandin Byrd (13), Ashley Darling (15), Khadija Stuckey (11), and Troy Vital (15) were all awarded a Memorex DVD home entertainment receiver. Ashley Darling was also the 2004 top Jack Rabbit raffler. The Five Hills Track & Field Club is preparing May 21, 2005 first track meet at McNeil High School. The athletes are working dutifully coming out of their Conditioning Phase entering the Jack Rabbits Pre-Competition Phase. The Five Hills Track & Field Club Jack Rabbits are still seeking creative ways to reduce out pocket expenses. Anyone interested in joining or would like to volunteer their time, talents and efforts to an exciting Youth Program, please contact Coach Robert Griffin at 291-1757. The Five Hills Track & Field Club family would like for the Central Texas Community to visit their website and see their athletes in action at http://eteamz.active.com/gofivehills.

Sterling Performances during the Carl Lewis Indoor Track & Field Invitation The Five Hills Track & Field Club ventured down this past weekend (22 Jan 05) to the University of Houston to participate in the indoor High School meet. This annual indoor track event named for Track & Field Legend Carl Lewis is a national ranked and respected event. The Jack Rabbits sent 12 athletes into a highly competitive field of athletes seeking national prominence. Only Donald Buckram (16) and Dejon Griffin (16) had participated in the Carl Lewis previously in 2004. So, here the performances: Donald Buckram quickly set the tone for the Jack Rabbits recording the fastest 60m Dash of 6.95 through most of the prelims. In the finals, he went on to record the third fastest time in the nation for a solid 2nd place finish at 6.91. By far Anthony Cotton (14) and Casey Stephens (15) were the busiest Jack Rabbits. Anthony placed 3rd in his heat in the 200m with a time of 24.80 and 5th in his heat with a 7.61 in the 60m Dash. He also participated in the Pole Vault, but couldn’t shake the rust of his six month lay off to clear the opening height. Casey placed 3rd in her heat in the 200m with a time of 28.56 and 5th in both the 60m at 8.65, and 60m Hurdles at 10.03, respectfully. Alphonso Powell (17), Robert Griffin, III (14), and Jerome Williams (17) were game to take on 30 renowned hurdlers, 20 of them national ranked. Robert L. Griffin, III lead the trio sprinting next to Alphonso Powell in the same heat placing third with a solid 8.60, and Powell at 8.63, respectfully. Jerome Williams ran five heats later placing 3rd in his heat at 8.68 seconds, which placed our hurdles in the front tier of hurdlers. Robert also placed 6th in the High Jump easily clearing 5’8, skipping 5’10’, and couldn’t shake the 6-month layoff at 6’0”. Dejon Griffin amongst the heavy weight threw her personal best of 35’ 04 in the shot placing a strong 6th place. Brittney Clarke (13) ran amazingly well amongst the High School competition. She place 2nd in the 60m Dash at 8.40 and 3rd in her heat for the 200m Dash with a strong 28.13. Kelsey Sloan (12), the Jack Rabbits Long Distance princess scored big achieving 6th place in the both the mile and 800m with indoor times of 6:12.89 and 2:45.81 respectfully. Kelsey was of the Jack Rabbits crowd pleasers young in size and age, but big on desire, determination, and competitive will. Jerrod Milsap (16) just missed the final with an impressive 7.21 placing second in his heat. Rashad Hawke also placed 2nd in his heat with a 60m time of 7.48. The Jack Rabbits sprint prince Steffin McCarter (8) aligned up against Buckram to place fifth, but his technique and time of 8.89 so impressive, two-time 100m World Record Holder and the University of Houston Head Track & Field Coach Leroy Burrell embraced him. Steffin’s 200m sprint was so powerful and fluid the witnessing crowd applauded his efforts well into the next heat. Ryan Babbs (9) scored big in his pint size body recording a blazing 10.11 seconds. The Jack Rabbits assembled a pretty determined 4 X 200m Relay of Milsap, Powell, Buckram and Hawke. In that order each athlete led their competitors and recorded an impressive 1:35.86 to win their heat. Many felt if placed with some of the few faster times, they could have been a second or two faster. The Jack Rabbits performances were sterling as reflected in Donald Buckram’s Silver Medal from the 60m Dash. Next up for the local track club are three “Free to the Public” Track & Field Clinics at S.C. Lee Junior High School: A. The Running, Sprinting and Hurdling Clinic will be held on 12 Feb 04 at 3:00 – 6: 00pm. B. The Throwing Clinic consisting of the Shot Put, Javelin and Discus be held on 19 Feb 04 at 3:00 – 6: 00pm. C. The Jumping Clinic provides insight to the Long Jump, Triple Jump and High Jump which will be held on 26 Feb 04 at 3:00 – 6: 00pm. The registration for the Summer Program begins on March 6, 2005. Please contact Coach Robert L. Griffin, Jr at (254) 542-1904 for details and registration information.

Fresh off the press to the Five Hills Track & Field Family. The Carl Lewis Indoor Meet particulars are now in writing, and we have linked the information site to our news. We would like to highlight the following for the January 22, 2005 (Saturday) meet in Houston: The field events start at 9:00 am The running events start at 1100 am The prices are: $10.00 per athlete per event $5.00 per spectator They also have a concession stand with decent to airport prices. Coach Griffin will lead all parties wishing to travel in a caravan to Houston from the Copperas Cove's McDonalds at 5:30 am on January 22, 2005. The caravan will pick up all Killeen families along the Hwy 190 heading East. Please call Coach Griffin on his cell (291-1757) to make known you are meeting up with the caravan. The route the caravan shall embark upon are: Hwy 190 East to Beltan via Hwy 190 South to 290 East in Behram Hwy 290 South to Interstate 410 Houston to Downtown Houston - Clyde Littlefield Field House. Coach Griffin will email the University of Houston a comprehensive list our the Jack Rabbits and their achieved times thus far. So if, you or a know associate wishes to travel to Houston, then need to be at the Saturday, January 15, 2005 practice at 4:00 to 5:45 hours. We are excited to participate in the Carl Lewis Invitational Indoor Meet for a second year. "Stay Focus, Remember Who You Belong To, and Set a Competitive and Good Sportsmanship Example!!!" Strong Supporter of Track

Hello Parents and friends of the Five Hills Track and Field Club. After a exciting Junior Olympics in Iowa, and the Games of Texas showdown in Grapevine (Dallas-Fort Worth area), our athletes have taken their performances to a new level. Demetria Pace excelled on the Varsity Cross Country Team as a Freshman. She lead her team to the Regional level in Arlington, Texas for Ellison High School. Robert L. Griffin, III has made the transition from Freshman Quarterback to the Copperas Cove High School Varsity Basketball team. Donald Buckram, Jr is arguably the best tailback in the state, as he went over a 1000 yards rushing. His efforts yeilded the Bull Dawgs to a 7-0 District record, and a win over Klein Collins High School out of Houston for their first playoff win in three years. Daniel "Mr. MVP" Ruff participating in the CCYRC Youth Tackle Football ran over all defenses to lead his team the Championship came. His team voted him their MVP, the Best Player on the Team. Daniel wants to challenge is peers in the 200m this coming 2005 AAU season. Ryan "Defense" Babbs participating in the CCYRC Youth Tackle Football closed in on many offensive players to earn his team's Defensive Player MVP honors for a second straight year. James Diggs, Isiah Buckram, and Desmond Gibson of S. C. Lee Junior School overpowered many football adversaries to win the Junior High School District Champ titles. Casey Stephens is enjoying her Freshman Basketball experience, and a defensive standout. Dejon Griffin is commanding attention to her play on the High School Junior Varsity Volleyball team. She accomplished a feat never before done. She was honored as the "Lady Dawg of the Week" over her Varsity stablemates. The media could not turn away from her heart, desire, and skillful play. Stay tune for other sports reports on the Jack Rabbits excelling in School Sports. The next event up for the Five Hills Track & Field Club is the Carl Lewis Invitation in January 2005. We shall begin a preparatory regimen in mid Decemeber, so check the calendar or call Coach Griffin in the next few weeks for more information. Train Hard, Eat Right, Hydrate!!! Coach Griffin

The Five Hills Jack Rabbits soared, sprinted, and jumped into the hearts of many. There were triumphs, near misses, and competitive surges to the end of what has to be the best Junior Olympics ever. The young people of this nation has plenty to be proud and inspired about; they actions, and performance were simply marvelous; not breathtaking.