SCARBOROUGH — When Jarett Flaker sizes up his chances of breaking records at the Class A indoor track state championships Monday, he’s so low key he sounds like he’s talking about a homework assignment.
“I just focus on running faster times,” said Flaker, a Scarborough High sophomore. “I don’t get too stressed.”
Flaker has won every race he’s entered this winter. He has the fastest times in the state for his three events this season:
n He leads the state in the 55 meters with a time of 6.52 seconds, an SMAA record and faster than the Class A meet record of 6.60.
n He leads the state in the 200 with a time of 22.57 seconds, another SMAA record and faster than the Class A record of 22.65.
n And he leads the state in the 400 with a time of 50.57 seconds, less than a second off the state record of 49.78.
If Flaker breaks more than one Maine record at the state meet at the University of Southern Maine, it would be a rare feat for an underclassman.
“Actually I consider it difficult for a senior boy to set more than one state record,” said George Mendros, the track coach at Thornton Academy for 21 years.
Falmouth Coach Jorma Kurry, who has 25 years of experience, said it’s more difficult for underclass boys to break a state record than for underclass girls because boys physically mature later.
“I’d say it’s uncommon,” Kurry said. “Not many sophomores break any records on the boys’ side and not many kids break multiple records. Nobody comes to mind.”
State track and field records aren’t archived by the Maine Principals’ Association. It’s unclear if there’s been an underclassmen who has broken more than one record in the 50-year history of the Class A meet.
“I talked to (former Brewer coach) Dave Jeffrey and we can’t really remember a sophomore boy who had the potential to set multiple state records,” said Brewer outdoor track coach Glendon Rand.
Many believe Flaker could be the first.
“Jarett is an extraordinary Maine talent,” said John Folan, the track coach at Greely for 25 years. “I have yet to see a match for him in Maine.”
Flaker also set the Maine boys’ record in the 300 meters at the Dartmouth Relays on Jan. 5 with 35.23. He said he’s ready for Monday’s state meet.
“Last year I knew I would do decent but I didn’t know how well,” he said. “I’ve gotten used to the pressure.”
Being a member of three Class A state title teams in his first two years has helped.
Last year he was a member of two Class A track and field state championship teams. And at the Class A indoor meet he won the 55 (6.68) and finished second in the 200 (22.99), and also ran anchor on Scarborough’s winning 800-meter relay.
This fall he was a starter on Scarborough’s first Class A state football championship team, contributing at wide receiver.
He came into this track season with all kinds of new confidence.
“Football helped a lot,” Flaker said. “Lifting with the football team helped. I feel faster, stronger. And I’m faster out of the blocks. All year my coach has told me, ‘Don’t rush the process. Stay down, and drive and accelerate. Don’t pop up and try to get to top speed right away.'”
Flaker also has one more advantage. A new rule at the University of Southern Maine prevents high school runners from using spikes in regular-season meets, making it harder to get traction in the sprints. But at the state meet Flaker will wear spikes.
“He’s a lot stronger than a year ago,” said Coach Derek Veilleux. “He’s more mentally focused after the football season. The times he’s been running without spikes have been crazy.”
Deirdre Fleming can be reached at 791-6452 or:
dfleming@pressherald.com
Twitter: FlemingPph
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