Hanahan track team looks strong despite some coach and player departures

There was something new, something missing when the Hanahan boys’ track and field team began practice this week in preparation for the 2016 season. But the team’s goal remains the same: capture yet another state championship.

The something new is coach David Morbitzer, who replaces David Pratt as the main man. Morbitzer, who coached the girls’ team to a state title in 2011 and also served as an assistant for the boys’ squad, has his work cut out for him. Pratt led the Hawks to state titles the past two springs and three in the past five years.

The something missing is sprinter Samuel Denmark, arguably one of the top two or three sprinters in the state. He was the main force for the Hawks last year, winning gold medals in the 100- and 200-dashes at the state championships. He will play wide receiver for Virginia Tech and enrolled at the Blacksburg, Va. school in time for spring semester so he can participate in the Hokies’ spring practice.

Despite the talent loss, Morbitzer, a Citadel grad, feels the Hawks can contend for yet another state title.

“We have a solid foundation,” said Morbitzer, who is in his seventh year at Hanahan. “Losing Denmark is significant. But we still have plenty of talent to be there. I’m just going to try to build upon that and see if we can bring home some more state titles.”

Pratt, who led teams to eight state titles, including five at Woodruff High, will remain at Hanahan.

“I gave up coaching track to spend more time with my family,” Pratt said. “I have a mom and dad who are in their 90s who live in Alabama, and I have kids and grandkids who live in New York and Alabama. I am still teaching and coaching football.”

Morbitzer said working with Pratt was like continuing education. He knows the sport, but learned the nuances under Pratt.

“Coach Pratt was a great mentor,” Morbitzer said. “He’s probably the best person you could look up to as far as taking over a program like this. I am honored to be named coach, especially after the recent success we have had.”

The Hawks won state titles in 2011, ’14 and ’15. They finished second in 2010 and ’12, so they have proved to be one of the best programs in the second decade of the 2000s.

Last spring, Hanahan rolled up 97 points at the state meet in what was one of the most dominant performances in some while. The Hawks won the title, Hilton Head was second and Beaufort third. All three teams are members of Region 8-AAA, the best track and field region in the state.

Denmark has departed, but sophomore Quincy Mitchell and senior Dyrell Kinloch have potential to shine. Mitchell was a bronze medalist the 100- and 200-meter dashes and was a member of the winning 4x100-meter relay team. Kinloch also was a member of the 400 relay team and ran a led on the 4x800-meter relay team, which captured a silver medal at the state meet.

A pair of muscular football players will allow the Hawks to shine in the field events this spring: Dominique Green and Tre Smalls. Green won the gold in the discus and Smalls was second. Both could also be forces in the shot put.

“You don’t replace an athlete like Denmark,” Morbitzer said. But, we have some good pieces,” Morbitzer said. “We’ll be a very well-rounded team.”

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