Good Things Come In Fours Freeman Quartet ‘Just Great Kids And Good Friends’

They are, says Freeman coach John Hays, the heart and soul of the Scotties boys track team.

Four athletes have combined to run two relays and cover in unique order, the 100-200, 200-400 and 400-800 metric races.

Seniors Bill DePell and Tom Ward handle the short and long of the races. Junior Brandon Pratt runs the middle two and junior Andy Miller provides depth for the short sprint and relays.

“It’s a great group,” says Hays. “They have really been the anchor of the team and run an interesting combination.”

Each has his own interesting tale about their involvement with the Scotties team that tied for third in state last year.

DePell, a placer in the 100, 200 and on both relays, didn’t consider track until his freshman year.

“I was into baseball, actually,” the Scotties’ three-sport star said. “Then I had a bad experience, tried track and it wasn’t too bad.”

Because the two sports overlapped in junior high, Hays wasn’t aware DePell was one of the school’s fastest athletes.

“When he came out it was evident right away,” said Hays.

DePell just missed state as a freshman sprinter, but ran on the team’s state 400 relay team.

“Three seniors carried me,” he said. “I just went along for the ride.”

Since then, DePell has been an impact football player, the Northeast A League MVP in basketball for Freeman’s state placers, and state track medal winner considering walking on at Eastern Washington University.

Ward was hoping for state last year in his specialities, the 400 and 800 meter runs, when he sprained an ankle playing pick-up basketball in the Freeman gym during lunch.

“I was on my way to go,” he said, “but rolled my ankle the week before districts.”

His initial reaction? “Oh, no,” said Ward. It was a shame, said Hays.

With 51-second and 2-minute times in the two events, he could get there this year. He anchors the 1,600 relay.

“I think I can do it, although I haven’t run both of them fresh,” said Ward of races that come with but one event in between.

Ward also ran on Freeman’s state qualifying cross country teams, mainly for the fun of being on a team.

“He’s just a guy who’s got a heart for running,” said Hays. “It’s been fun to watch him develop into a true intermediate guy.”

Pratt comes from a running family. His mother still holds sprint records, his sister graduated last year with several state-placing awards.

Yet he came to the sport reluctantly.

“I started in eighth grade, but quite frankly didn’t like it,” he said. “My freshman year I did golf instead.”

Mom pretty much talked him into track last year and as a sophomore, he placed seventh in the 400 at state.

“I should have been third, but choked,” Pratt said matter-of-factly. “It was kind scary that first year.”

He also runs the 200, but what he likes best are the relays. Pratt runs third on the curve in the 400 and second in the 1,600 where he usually gives the team a lead that Ward finishes.

“I think a lot of stuff with Brandon is believing in himself and pacing his race right,” said Hays.

Miller is a state-placing long jumper who may not be able to return due to a back injury. He’ll find out today if he can jump without pain.

“I can do the sprints and relays fine,” said the junior athlete who leads off the 400 relay.

Miller is the only track athlete in his family. He opted for the sport, because his brother played baseball.

“He’s got 21-foot potential in the long jump,” said Hays. “He has ability to be a state champion if we can get him healthy.”

The first stage of state qualifying is today at the district meet in Colfax. Next week is regional for two state berths.

DePell and Pratt say they are running slower than last year, but Hays disagrees.

“Bill’s run faster this year than he did last year until right at the end,” said Hays. “Brandon is No. 1 in the state right now and never ran that fast until the end of last year. So to say they have not run as fast is kind of a paradox.”

They all have high expectations, which is good, said Hays, but they expected to be faster at the beginning of this season than at the end of last, which is unrealistic.

He’s not concerned about how they’ll perform at crunch time. He’s simply glad he’s had a chance to coach them.

“They’re just great kids and good friends,” said Hays. “It’s been fun to see them develop over the years.”