PREP TRACK Durkin hoping to return

The Boardman senior knows her only real hope is in the 4x800 relay.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Veteran distance runner Brittany Durkin of Boardman High would like to return to the Division I state track and field meet in June.
But a torn anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that benched her during basketball season, is a hinder, Durkin admits.
Rather than having surgery, she wants to run with the Spartans' track team.
"I don't want to just sit around and watch my team perform this spring," Durkin said. "I had to do that during basketball and it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.
"I have been competing since I was a freshman and want to help our team this season," Durkin said.
Three of four return
Sarah Grabert, Jessica Moore and Durkin, all seniors, were members of the Spartans 4x800 relay that placed third (9:11.38) at the 2003 state meet.
Durkin ran the first 800 meters in a career best time of 2 minutes, 16 seconds. She also placed 13th in the 1600 (5:14.32).
Monica Cuevas, the anchor for that unit, is now running at Columbia University.
Durkin wants to go back to state this year with the 4x800 relay.
"It would really be cool to go again [because] I've been there the past three years in that event," Durkin said.
She said that Cuevas will be tough to replace and she's not sure how coach Denise Gorski and assistant Bruce Breunig will arrange this year's relay.
"I've been running every day building stamina and strength," Durkin said. "I am just going to take it one day at a time and hope the knee holds up.
"We are a young team that is going to compete in the Federal League this season," Durkin said, "and it will be tough because there are a lot of good teams in it."
Durkin, who carries a 3.6 grade point average, will continue running cross country and track at Kent State.
Two-time state champ
Cachet Murray, a junior, is returning at Girard. She is a two-time Div. II state champion in the 100 and 200. She set a state record last year in the 200 (24.2) and had the area's best time in the 100 (11.6).
Jen Grayson of Maplewood, a three-time Div. III state qualifier, also returns. She was among the area's best a year ago with times of 15.1 for the 100 hurdles and 45.3 for the 300 hurdles. She also cleared 5 feet, 5 inches in the high jump.
Two-time Div. II state qualifier Nick Panezich of Springfield will try to improve his 2003 effort in the shot put (57-4 3/4), which was the best in the area.
He also had one of the best throws in the discus (172-6).
Mark Lipinsky of Boardman, a senior, returns. He placed third in the Div. I 100 hurdles in 14.7 and had one of the area's best times in the 300 hurdles (40.0).
Rayen's Dorian Townsend, Demond Taylor, Leon Brock and Andre Miller were Div. II state qualifiers in the 4x100 relay.
Seniors Craig Rupe, a Div. III state qualifier in the 3200 (9:58), and teammate, senior Paul Moser (3200, 10:05) will be the featured distance runners on Maplewood's squad.
miller@vindy.com