Track and Field: Cepero Notebook

>> Building on a surprise: When McMurry track and field coach Barbra Crousen told Ben Coker that she thought he would make a natural hurdler, Coker was a little surprised.

Coker had never run a hurdles race - or even thought about taking up the event on a full-time basis.

Coker, a 2008 Permian graduate, started working on his technique with Permian track and field coach Jeep Shanks after the high school season ended. He made his first appearance in the 400-meter hurdles at the fourth annual Dan Cepero Memorial Track and Field Meet on Sunday.

"From the Monday after graduation when we started training to now, he looks like a different person," Shanks said. "He's come a million miles."

Coker crossed the line in 58.55 seconds and finished second to former Permian teammate Eugene Neboh.

Coker plans to run the 400 and 800-meter run in addition to the 400 hurdles at McMurry.

"It didn't feel like I went over the hurdles well, but my coach (Shanks) said I did well," Coker said. "I feel pretty good about running in college."

>> Speed to burn: More than 350 athletes competed at the Cepero meet this weekend, but the most impressive performances came in the sprints.

Snyder's Kenneth Turner built his reputation with UIL Class 3A state titles as a junior in both the 100 and 200 in May, and his Saturday performance at Ratliff Stadium didn't disappoint. Turner coasted through the last 25 meters of the 100 to win the young men's division in 11.35 seconds, and he won the long jump with a jump of 21 feet, 3.25 inches.

Copperas Cove's Brandin Byrd took home titles in the 100 (11.54 seconds) and 200 (23.30) in the intermediate boys division. He also won the triple jump (44-7.75).

>> Senior scholarships: Each year the Cepero meet awards a $1,500 scholarship to a pair of outstanding seniors, but the scholarship almost always goes to a pair of Texas athletes.

Except this year.

David Gilliland, a Ponca City, Okla., resident who is visiting his grandparents in Odessa this weekend, was named the men's recipient of the scholarship. Gilliland won the young men's pole vault at 13 feet, 6 inches.

Gilliland will continue his track career at Oklahoma Baptist University in the fall.

The other scholarship was awarded to Amarillo resident Brittany Hemphill, who is headed to Wichita State next year to compete in the long jump, the triple jump, and possibly both the 100 and 200.

Hemphill, who took home Cepero titles in the long jump and the 100, had no idea that the Cepero meet awarded a scholarship to seniors.
"Between the track scholarship and this, that will pay for my whole first year," Hemphill said. "Now, it's all taken care of."