by MARK CAUL

Lehman track athletes (from left) Oscar Silguero, Andrew Longworth, Justin Torres, Darius Jones, Ethan Martin, and Jaylon Hardaway, have all contributed to the Lobos’ successful 4X400-meter relay team this season. (Photo by Judy Cooper)

They are six guys with different personalities who have managed to mesh together for one common goal, a potential district championship in the 4 X 400 meter relay.

Lehman’s Justin Torres, Jaylon Hardaway, Oscar Silguero, Andrew Longworth, Ethan Martin and Darius Jones have all had a very unique chemistry on the track that could pay big dividends in the upcoming District 17-4A meet.

Like a fine tuned automobile, they are interchangeable parts that together will hopefully steer Lehman toward the state meet.

Each has taken turns this track season running as part of the Lobos’ 4X400-relay team that seemingly continues to improve each week.

Torres is the seasoned veteran who has seen his share of ups and downs during his four years as a Lobo.

Jones and Silguero are the newcomers with outstanding speed who have helped the group mesh perfectly together.

Silguero and Martin are the much improved hard workers who supply much of the team’s energy while second-year sprinter Jaylon Hardaway is the  young gun who has been the group’s go-to-guy down the stretch again this season.

Second year head coach Michael Laney feels the parts are in place for the group to make a serious run at the district title at Del Valle High School next week.

“These guys have performed far and above any expectations I had for them this season,” Laney said. “They each bring a different element to the puzzle and if they continue to work as hard as they have all season, they have the chance to do something special.”

The group has competed in four meets this season and have fared no lower than third place against some pretty stout competition, including a first place finish in their event with a season best time of 3:31.61 at the recent Don Shelton Relays which helped secure a third place overall team finish for the Lehman Lobos.

“We had been training hard during the offseason and after the Lobo Relays we felt as though we had a chance to be good,” said Torres. “Coach Laney has done a great job of motivating us to get better at every meet we’ve been in this season. Now, our goal is to do well at the district and regionals. Then, hopefully we’ll do well enough to qualify for the state meet.”

While Torres has embraced the transition from running in individual events as a sprinter to help get the group off to fast starts in each meet, Jones has been equally as impressive in his first season at Lehman.

“Darius is having a good first year as a Lobo,” said Laney. “He has done an excellent job of helping lead this relay team to a couple of great finishes. He has really taken on the leadership role on this team.”

In any given meet, any six of the runners could be called into action depending on the circumstances but all have more than risen to the occasion when the need arises.

“Coach Laney has instilled a lot of pride and hard work into everybody this season.” Jones said. “He doesn’t settle for anything less than our best. He expects us to come out everyday and work hard. That has really motivated me to push a little harder this season.”

The emergence of Jones and Silguero has been a vital part of helping the Lobos improve upon their overall times from last year and has kept the Lobos close in every race down the stretch.

Hardaway, the sophomore speedster and anchor leg, has continued to flourish after helping lead the Lobos to a regional meet last season in his first year in high school.

“Being on the varsity team as a freshman wasn’t easy at all because there was a lot of pressure,” Hardaway said. “It’s a little bit easier this year but I have tried to put the work in so I can be successful. We have really grown as a team this year. I still don‘t think we have ran our best race yet.”

The group does have one thing in common, they all possess the hunger for a district title.

“To bring a district title to Lehman in the mile relay would be special and a good way to go out as a senior,” said Torres.

Laney also believes a run at the district title in their event is well within reason for the Lobos.

“The thing I love about this relay team is that it really doesn’t matter who’s running, we have confidence that we’ll be successful,” Laney said. “All six of these guys have really worked hard and I think our performances on the track have shown that. We still have a lot to work on before next week but we will certainly put ourselves in position to win district if we stay focused and continue to get better. ”

The District 17-4A track and field meet is April 14-15 in Elgin.