May 12, 2001 at Coral Springs FL

4A Florida State Meet

Photo Page -
Atlantic boys 7:37.76 !!!

by John Dye


John Jefferson finishes 3-second win over Boyd Anderson

CORAL SPRINGS FL 5/12/01 - Creeping closer to national record territory, Atlantic Community High School, Del Ray Beach FL, broke the Florida state meet record for the 4x800 relay by almost 2 seconds. Atlantic wasn't actually gunning for the state record because they wanted to protect John Jefferson's try for an historic 800-1600 double tonight (never been done before in the Florida state meet). "We were expecting to win in about 7:45-7:46," said coach Ken Schappert. But Atlantic was pushed throughout by Boyd Anderson 7:40.69, who led twice during the race. With the fast pace and the record in sight, coach Schappert, who was positioned on the far turn, gave anchor John Jefferson the go-ahead with 200 meters to go. At that point, Boyd Anderson had pulled within 5 meters of Atlantic. John J. turned on the afterburners and blazed home in an unofficial 1:50.72 split. Other splits: Josh Randall 1:59, Sean Jefferson 1:53, and Ken Schappert (the coach's son) 1:54.

Coach Shappert said he thinks the team can shave 3-4 seconds off today's mark in the adidas Outdoor Championships at Raleigh in June. There they will be matched again against Alan Webb's South Lakes VA team in both the 4x800 and distance medley. Coach Schappert said he and South Lakes Coach Scott Raczko have agreed to face each other in both relays. Atlantic has already beaten South Lakes twice this year in the DMR, in the Nike Indoor Classic with the second best indoor time ever and at the Arcadia Invitational in the third fastest outdoor time ever (9:57.88). Today's 4x800 ranks 10th on Jack Shepard's all-time list.

It was a warm, sunny day with racetime temperature about 80 degrees.

 

Lap by lap sequence of the race

after 1 lap in 55 - Miami Jackson (green) and Homestead lead, with Atlantic (Josh Randall) far back.
after 2 laps in 1:57 - Miami Jackson leads, with Atlantic moved up to 4th
after 3 laps in 2:52 - Miami Jackson still leads, but Atlantic (Sean Jefferson) is tucked in behind Jackson and Boyd Anderson (orange) has moved up to third.
after 4 laps in 3:50 - Atlantic's third leg Ken Schappert has a narrow margin over Boyd Anderson
after 5 laps in 4:45 - Boyd Anderson gets the lead.
after 6 laps in 5:57 - Atlantic anchor John Jefferson is given a 20-meter lead
after 7 laps in 6:40 - Boyd Anderson gains on John J.
head of stretch - John J. turns it on.
  


John Jefferson easing up

17- Anchors invite Ken Schappert to join their respectful embrace

We're Number One! Who's to argue - South Lakes and Alan Webb?

Team pauses for prayer before leaving the awards area.

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