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North Broward Prep coach Corey Hicks believes if you want to be the best you’ve got to beat the best. That is why he has entered his star pupil, sophomore standout, Jerimy Strainge, in a meet with one of the most stacked sprinting fields in 2011. How did Strainge react to the announcement that he’d be running in the Flrunners.com Primetime Meet in March against the likes of Boone’s Marvin Bracy and Mike Bellamy of Charlotte?
“That would be the best race I’ve ever been in a part of in my life. That race to me should be on ESPN live, that’s how big it would be, Marvin Bracy and all of those other top sprinters, you can’t get much better that. That’s going to be the longest ten seconds in my life.”
Bracy is the reigning 4A champ in the 100 and 200. Bellamy took gold last year in the 100 and silver in the 200 in class 3A. While both are extremely tough competition, Strainge has the credentials to run with the big guys. In just his first year running, the freshman won the 2A state finals in both the 100 (10.66) and 200 (21.38).
The ironic part of Strainge’s career is that he never had intentions of being a runner. As with most sprinters, he started out playing football. He explains how running went from being a chore to something fun.
“At that time I didn’t know I was that fast but it was fun. That was one of the mains reasons I did it. It’s still fun but I’m taking it way more seriously now. Last year, I can say it was pretty difficult because as a freshman I didn’t know what I was going to do and my coach kept pushing me to go forward and as the season went on people told me I could win states and I began to have courage in myself to do just that. I’m glad that it happened.”
This year he plans to solely do track, no more football. It is that shift and focus that has him geared for a stellar sophomore season. His coach Corey Hicks says the preparation prior to the start has put him ahead of the game.
“He’s truly had the opportunity to work on weightlifting, training, core strength, and when the season rolls around these are things we don’t have to work on. There is going to be a huge difference between last year and the Jerimy Strainge this year that is totally committed and focused. I think it’s going to be a great year.”
A typical workout week consists of a 600 pyramid, a 300 and 400’s workout, and Thursday fine tuning and working on the blocks. Getting out of the blocks and having a great start is one thing Strainge considers a weakness.
“I’ve been told my strengths are my top end speed in coming in strong. My weakness is my start. I’ve been working on my reaction time and several other things that coach Dwayne has been doing with me.”
The sophomore hopes to focus on the 400 this season to improve his top end speed in the 100. Coach Hicks know when his star pupil will be ready, and it’s all just a matter of time.
“To me the pinnacle of success is when he is running a 46 in the 400. Then, there is no doubt in my mind the 100 will be sub 10 second or near that. The closing speed will be there to run those times.”
Strainge’s goals for 2011 are to win the state title in the 100 and 200. A self proclaimed, quiet person, he prefers to do let his actions do the talking. He doesn’t just plan on winning those events he plans on breaking records.
“Time wise I want to set a new record in the 100. I know that is around 10.1 but I really don’t see that and I want to do my thing. I want to beat that record and the record in the 200.”
Lofty goals for someone only in their second season of running but Coach Hicks believes the records are attainable especially in the 200, which he says is Strainge’s best event.
“My ultimate goal for him is to be one of the first high school kids before he leaves to run a 19 second 200. In my opinion the 200 is the stronger of the two events for him and the one I think he can break records for in years to come. He ran a low 21.2 without someone pushing him. I can say with the utmost confidence that he’ll run a sub 20 second 200 he has the ability to do that. It’s all about running in the right venues and the right competition that’ll truly get that out of him.”
He’ll have that chance March 4th, the night of the FLRunners.com Primetime meet. He’s already breaking down the keys to the race.
“I have to come and do my thing and not worry about them and do me. I have to do what I’m supposed to do, the things my coaches have taught me like coming out of the blocks, and then hopefully I can come out and win.”
The saying “competition breeds success” could help Strainge rank as one of the best high school sprinters when all is said and done. His drive to run against the top talent makes his plans for the future no surprise, what else but the 2012 Olympics in London.
Personal Bests
100 Meter Dash
10.54
200 Meter Dash
21.16
Getting To Know Jerimy Strainge
Favorite subject in school: “Geometry, because I’m very good at math and I actually understand that.”
Dream car: “I’d buy a Bugatti because they are really fast.”
Last movie you saw and what you thought of it: “The last movie I saw was Paranormal Activity and I was scared. I’m not even going to lie I was about to walk out of the movie.”
Best advice anyone has given you: “My coach, Corey Hicks, told me one day in practice that I have to do things that people aren’t willing to do like going through his workouts, which means pain. That’s something a lot of people aren’t willing to do that I’ve done quite a few times and there is nothing like it.”
Where do you see yourself in ten years? “I hope to be running track still but if that doesn’t work out I’d want to be a businessman.”
Final thoughts: “Good luck to everyone this track season. I wish the best to everyone and hope everyone has a little fun.”
