(Photo credit: BC coach Tamara Stafford-Kirk via Twitter)
Bristol Central senior Dathan Hickey was a member of the outdoor track and field team for one season, but what it a season it was.
The Ram football standout ran with seniors Pat Kjornrattanawanich and Nigel West, and sophomore David Bowes, to a spot in the 4×100-meter relay at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor meet in Greensboro, N.C. The quartet came in 34th place in the country on Saturday and was only .03 second off their school record, which they established at the State Open.
On Sunday, Hickey competed in the Emerging Elite long jump and finished seventh at 22 feet, 2 1/4 inches. The same kid who was brand new to track and field in April wound up with the seventh best mark in the country in the Emerging Elite group.
“Dathan Hickey 7th place Emerging Elite at NBNO18! So proud of this kid and all he’s done in 3 short months,” coach Tamara Stafford-Kirk tweeted.
Hickey has had an amazing season for Bristol Central track and field, especially in the long jump. He won CCC South and Class L state championships, including a season-best 22 feet, 6 3/4 inches at the state meet. Hickey also finished first in the long jump on these separate occasions: May 8 at Maloney, May 12 at the Greater Hartford Invitational and May 15 in the meet vs. Bristol Eastern.
Hickey took fourth place in the State Open on June 4, then was seventh at the New England championship meet on June 9.
Hickey was also a big point earner in the 100 meters. He finished first in the event four times, including once each at the Greater Bristol Invitational and the Greater Hartford Invitational.
