Observer-Eccentric

By Joe Kyriakoza

May 27, 1997

It may not compare to the drought the Detroit Red Wings face with regards to the coveted Stanley Cup, but the Birmingham Seaholm track and field squad ended its 27-year itch at the 30th Annual Ambrose/Eccentric Relays on Tuesday by emerging victorious for the first time in the meet's history.

Rochester followed Seaholm (62) with 57 points. Troy (45), host Troy Athens (40), North Farmington (39), and Bloomfield Hills Lahser rounded out the top six in the 12-team tournament organized by longtime track and field authority Kermit Ambrose, and sponsored by the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers. Last year's winner, Brother Rice, finished 11th with 14 points.

The Maples placed sixth last season and have appeared in every Ambrose Relays except for 1969 and 1984.

Seaholm coach Bill Johansson credits his senior captains Justin Palermo, J.C. Mellor, Andy Peck, and Geoff Dancik, not necessarily for their performance in the meet, but for creating the team's lineup.

"They deserve credit," Johansson said, "They set up the winning lineup."

The seniors also performed exceptionally, leading Seaholm to one first place finish, three second and third place showings and two fourth place finishes in the 13-event (all but the heavy men's relay reflects total score) tourney.

Dancik, Dave Pohl, Jess Schueler, and Palermo took the top spot in the sprint medley with time of 3:41.9. Peck (44' 5 3/4"), Nick Rogers an Mark Reynolds combined for a score of 137' 3" in the shot put, good for second place in the event. In the discus, Peck (147' 7") once again lead Seaholm, this time to third-place with Rogers and Jason Heath for a team score of 406' 3".  The Maples took third in the high jump.

"We've been performing well all year in the field events," Johansson said. "We didn't expect to win. We were shooting for the top three. Our goal coming in was to beat 42 points which is the best we've ever done in this meet (1986)."

The Seaholm triumph caps a rather successful season for the Maples which included the Oakland Activities Association Division III championship. Johansson, in his fifth season with the Maples, contends that his senior captains are responsible for the program's recent emergence.

"My senior captains have brought the program to another level. It was a very successful season."

Dancik (1/2 mile) and Rogers (Shot Put) will compete in the state tournament for the Maples this weekend at Rockford High School.

At Age 87 Ambrose continues to cater to the area tracksters with his annual tournament and is held in high regard by Johansson.

"It's a wonderful event. Really it's about Kermit Ambrose. He is a legend. It's more in honor of Kermit than anything."