Story by Bobbie Brown (1A Fan)
Each year around now, the road to the state track meet starts to take
shape. This year there is once again a fork in that road, where the
memory-making seeds of rivalry were planted three years ago in
District seven.
The penultimate version of the Valley-Spur match-up has not
disappointed, and it's only expected to get even better from here.
Throughout their junior year, a story has been brewing about two
competitors from District seven. Only 69.3 miles separate Jake Merrell
(Turkey Valley) and Dustin Dominey (Spur). They have competed against
each other in cross country, basketball, and track for three years.
Both have state medals. Both have
had challenges.
It's no secret that Jake Merrell is an outstanding runner. Many are
astonished at his times.
At 6-foot- 3, Merrell has a Texas sized long stride that pushes him
past most competitors. In the fall, Jake experienced a foot injury
that would test any athlete. While completing a power clean after
football in the weight room, he injured his Achilles tendon. He was
unable to participate in basketball and focused on the healing
process.
Although he's not 100 percent, Jake continues to amaze 1A track
fans with his times this year. He currently sits atop the 1A track
charts in the 800, 1600 and 3200. He is heading to the Region 1-A
track meet on April 28th in all three events.
"The biggest challenge for me as a runner right now is dealing with
this injury," Jake said. "I want to put in a lot of work, and train
really hard, but right now my foot won't take it, so my biggest
challenge so far is dealing with injuries."
A hop, skip and long jump away in Spur, Dustin Dominey earned a
gold medal at the State Cross Country meet. At 5-foot- 6, he
focuses on foot speed to compensate for the stride length of taller
competitors.
"I have a lot shorter strides," Dustin said. "It all boils down to
mental toughness. When training I try to focus on the speed of my
stride to compensate for the length of his."
And just like Jake, Dustin had to find something inside himself to
climb to the top of the heap. Dustin's challenge is an eye condition
he's had since infancy. When he was 3 months old, a cataract
removal from his right eye left him with hand-eye coordination
problems.
While Dustin is unable to play football for risk of losing his sight
completely and basketball is difficult, he has willed himself to the
top of the heat-heap in track. He is in the 1A top five state-wide in
all his running events and will compete in the Region 1-A track
meet in the 800, 1600, and 3200 races.
"I strive to be the best in the sports I am allowed to participate in,"
Dustin said. "I have to have a lot of mental toughness in order to
get through practices when it would just be easier to quit."
The friendly rivals plan to continue running competitively after
high school. Jake is leaning toward Baylor while Dustin is still
evaluating his options. But they do have something in common:
Resolve, because both have had challenges but mental toughness
has prevailed. And while they appear different at first glance, any
fan will notice them in lockstep at the top meets -- both leading the
pack, and at the finish line.
I wouldn't say we are close friends, no doubt he is a good guy and
we both have respect for each other," Jake said. "But when it's
time to step to the line in race, we both know it's time to compete."
And compete they will. Look out, Austin.