Tornado boys track team has 6 athletes in Philadelphia for weekend’s Penn Relays
Butler’s track runners have proven to be elite in both the region and state. This weekend, at the Penn Relays, they’ll get the chance to demonstrate their dominance against the best of the best.
“It’s just on a whole other level outside of the state competition that we have,” Butler coach Mike Seybert said. “It’s a prestigious event that you have to have a certain caliber of runner or athlete. You don’t just go to go.
“These guys are seniors going there. They’ve just developed to a stage where this should be comfortable for them.”
The event has to fit into Butler’s schedule, though. Some years, it falls between important meets. It worked out this year that some of the Golden Tornado’s top runners could attend.
“This a showcase,” Seybert said. “And they’ve earned the right to be there.”
Some of the runners that Butler’s finest will be up against – from international countries like Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico – will be well-prepared for their races.
“They run their seasons in different increments,” Seybert said. “Right now, their track season just came to an end, so they’ve had their biggest meets already. They’re in great shape to come race against us.”
Student-athletes from around the country will be there, as well.
“I think it’s neat that, in the middle of our season, we get to run against these kids that have been training hard,” Seybert said.
The relays will help gauge Butler’s runners as they head toward the state meet, which falls on Memorial Day weekend.
Singleton is running the 1,600 meters.
“It’ll be cool running against guys from all over the world,” Singleton said. “We’ll kind of get to see if we’re legit or not.”
CJ Singleton, who Seybert said is at the top of his game, and Ryder Kriley will look to make a splash. Four other Butler kids will make the trip to Philadelphia.
Guinness Brown, who Seybert touts as the best sprinter in school history, is going. As are Brayden Young and Lucas Slear, slated to run in the 4x100 and the 4x400. Young ran one of the top 10 fastest 100-meter dashes in Butler lore at the Golden Tornado’s invite last weekend. Presley Ornelas will lead off on the 4x100.
“Obviously, we’ve put down some fast times so far this year,” Singleton said. “We’re confident, but anything can happen.”
Butler is set to run in one of the faster heats at the event. Kriley, running in the 4x400, looks forward to different opponents.
“We’re excited to run against people that we usually don’t run against, for once,” he said.
