Burris Common Ground: "Fat Man" Relay surprise

While the Burris Track team is used to thrilling finishes on the behalf of their guys 4x4 team, it was a different four-man relay that stole the spotlights Friday during the Relay Medley meet at Madison Grant.

The "Fat Man" event is the exciting closer each year. In this event throwers from each team are given the chance to use their legs as a 4x1 team. Burris found their calling, as well as a resounding victory, in this event. With their first leg man, Academy Senior Jacob Reusser, running just under 12 seconds (the second fastest time on the entire boys track team, just

behind Burris Junior Faelon Lipscomp). The throwers managed to finish the 400 only a few

seconds behind the teams regular 4x1 line-up.

Both Reusser and another Academy Senior Stuart Hilsmier had looked forward to this event for some time. They knew they could compete, Hilsmier being an apt alternate sprinter when the team calls upon him.

This was not the only unique event at the 8 team meet. Each year the usual structure of a track meet is tossed aside and the focus is set upon relays. Such as the Distance Medley (consisting of a unique 1200 meter run). The only open races are those for sprinters and mid-distance.

The Burris boys usually finish their meets with their explosive 4x4 team consisting of (depending on the meet) Academy Senior Eric Lechner, Burris Senior Jesse Etsler, Burris Junior Reilly Delk , Sophomore Jack McGee, and last but certainly not least, the

aforementioned Lipscomb.

Although respectable, but less than enthusiastic placements of 6th for the guys and 3rd for the girls, a solid victory was won for the ego of a few. This ending the meet on a lighthearted note, with the Shot Put coach Jeremy Hutchinson exclaiming, "The most important event in the history of Track & Field! You can quote me on that!" as the team was packing up their camp and heading back onto the bus.