Saine chasing sprint history
Piqua star is already a double state champ, and he hopes to improve as a junior
By
Marc Pendleton
Dayton Daily News
PIQUA | Brandon Saine is gaining on the greatest high school sprinter the Dayton area has ever seen.
Saine, Piqua's junior speedster, could win the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes at this year's big-school state meet — a feat accomplished only by Dunbar High School's Chris Nelloms in 1988.
"I just want to be able to run faster than I did last year," said Saine, who easily sped to Division I state titles in the 100 and 400. "I want to get back to state and see what I can do."
The Dayton area has had a great run of boys and girls track and field performers through the years. With Saine leading the way, it should be another outstanding spring of area racing.
If Saine wins all three sprints at state, he would surpass such celebrated sprinters as James Harris (Roth '68), Earl Richardson (Dunbar '70), Lamar Pryor (Trotwood-Madison '75) and Laron Brown (Roth '81-82). Those four athletes placed at state in track and field's featured sprint trifecta. Brown and Harris came close to sweeping, each winning two events and placing second in the other.
Saine is a throwback to the days when it wasn't unusual for sprinters to focus on all three races. And at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, he sheds the rail-thin sprinter image. He's getting faster, stronger (a 285-pound bench press and 415-pound squat) and bigger (by one inch and 10 pounds from '05).
"In 27 years, I've not seen anybody close to him," said longtime Piqua coach Ron Pearson. "The irony is, I don't think he realizes just how good he can be."
Saine's 2005 bests were impressive: a 10.69 in the 100 (at Wayne), 21.64 in the 200 (at Wittenberg) and 47.68 in the 400 (at state).
It's not unusual for runners to be hard-pressed to match their early career success. Not for Saine. He recently won the 60 meters at the National Scholastic Indoor Championship in New York City (6.79). He'll get another go at national competition in an invite-only meet at Arcadia, Calif., on April 8.
Saine seems equally strong at every distance. The 60 meters is little more than a great start. He won that title by a body, which in the world of fractions of seconds is like a weekend. His finishes in the 200 and 400 are even more remarkable because the distance he puts on the field is so much greater.
"My favorite would be the 100, because I don't die afterward," said Saine, laughing. "I like the 400, though. It makes me feel good — in a tough way — afterward."
Pearson is just as hard-pressed to pick Saine's best distance.
"He hasn't lost a 100 since his freshman year," Pearson said. "I don't think he's gotten to where he can go in the 400. But maybe the 200 is his best race."
It'll be tough for Saine to be pushed locally since the graduation of Miamisburg's David Bruton. Stephen Robinson of Trotwood-Madison is likely the best bet. That's why Saine is looking forward to the Roosevelt Memorial, Mansfield Mehock and Arcadia meets. And anyone from Cleveland Glenville.
"I'll have more fun when I run against competition," he said.
The ultimate double awaits
"He asks, 'Well, has anyone ever won the Heisman (Trophy) and (an Olympic) gold medal?' " Piqua High School track and field coach Ron Pearson said. "So, he's thinking."
OK, Saine's a statue/five-rings long shot. But know this: The junior can unload sprinter speed, having won the state 100 and 400 meters last spring.
And at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, he's a budding backfield presence.
No wonder football powers such as Ohio State, Notre Dame and Michigan — and plenty of others — are hot after his signature.
The area has been rich in sprinters through the years, and Saine hopes to put his name near the top of the list. After that, he'll focus on his first love: football.
"I just want to go somewhere where I can play football and run track, too," he said. "I don't know where I want to go, but I don't want to go far away."
Contact Marc Pendleton at 225-2381.
