Handful of veteran Dewey High thinclads take aim on promising track season
Dewey High School’s 2022 track team might best be characterized by a movie quote from the classic film “Pat and Mike.” In speaking about Pat (Katharine Hepburn), Mike (Spencer Tracy) says: “Not much meat on her, but what’s there is cherce.”
Dewey doesn’t boast a very big lineup, but most the athletes on the squad are choice.
Among the veteran stalwarts are returning state medalists Dallas Mullikin (boys hurdles), Katie Wright (girls shot put) and Gabby Higbee (girls hurdles).
But, there is one caveat.
Higbee — who has signed a letter of intent to play D-I softball (Tulsa) and is coming off an injury from the basketball season — is set to switch from the hurdle events to the sprints.
She finished fifth in both the 100m and 300m hurdles in last year’s Class 3A state meet.
She will give track competition a go her senior year in the sprints.
“I think the 400 will be her best event,” veteran Dewey head track coach Dan Close said.
Mullikin placed last year at state in both boys’ hurdles competitions — the 110m and 300m.
“I think he has a chance to be in the top three in both this season,” Close said. “But, we’re moving up to 4A, so that’s more of an unknown.”
This will be Mullikin’s second full year in the hurdles. He started running them in 2020, but took part in only one meet prior to the nationwide spring sports showdown related to COVID concerns.
Wright wrangled out fifth place in last year’s state shot put competition. She also qualified for the discus.
Another returning state qualifiers are girls’ hurdler Kayah Weathers, who didn’t get past the prelims in the 100m hurdles.
“She ahead of where she was last year at this time,” close said.
Braden Garrison also is back in the mix after throwing both the shot put and discus in the 2021 state meet. He came in ninth in the shot, missing by one spot of competing in the finals.
Dewey’s other proven talent is thrower Justin Lindley. He owns the school record in the shot (49-2), but “didn’t do real great at the regional last year,” Close said.
Lindley could be on target this year to close the deal on advancing to state.
“I’m looking for big things for him,” Close said.
But, following this strong group of track warriors, Dewey will need a lot of quick development among its other thinclads.
“We’re top heavy as far as age groups,” Close said. “I’m frustrated by the lack of numbers.”
What ever path of destiny Dewey track might follow this season is set to kick off with its home meet Tuesday, slated to take place in the mid-morning until approximately 3 p.m.
Close said he tentatively expects about 20 participating teams.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Dewey High School track team set to open this week
