June 2 Edition
The Bridgeport News

by Jeff Toquinto
News Editor

As the 2005 track season progressed, the improvement
was noticeable to Grant Burton and his coach Jon
Griffith. By the end of the year, Burton's improvement
was noted by the rest of the state.
Burton, one of several key Bridgeport High School
track athletes that helped lead the team to a fifth
place finish in Charleston, finished sixth in the
Class AAA 300 meter hurdles event.
Now, Burton is hoping that his improvement will
continue at the next level. Last week, Burton was
joined by track teammates Jeff Weimer, Alex McElfresh
and Phillip McElfresh in signing to continue their
athletic careers at the next level as members of the
West Virginia Wesleyan track program.
"It's a small school and that initially caught my
eye," said Burton. "Plus, I really like (WVWC) coach
(Jesse) Skiles. He's a lot like coach Griffith in that
he can be your coach and your friend. Coach Skiles
runs a really good program at Wesleyan."
Being a part of that program was far from a sure
thing. Although Burton said he wanted to compete
collegiately in something, he was initially hoping it
would be in basketball.
"I think I have a better chance to contribute in track
than basketball," said Burton, who will enter studies
of exercise science with the goal of heading to West
Virginia University to enroll in their new doctorate
of physical therapy program. "When I watched my times
going down this year, I figured that I might be able
to deal with some of the competition at the next level."
Burton did fine against competition at the prep level.
While placing consistently in the 300 hurdles and the
110 high hurdles, he was also part of the
school-record setting shuttle hurdle relay team.
"Grant is technically a very good hurdler," said
Griffith. "He pays great attention to detail."
Burton said he'll have to improve on his techniques
and a few other issues if he wants to succeed in Buckhannon.
"I've got to improve my endurance a bit and I still
need more speed," said Burton. "I know I've got room to improve."
His improvement will aid him in hurdle events at WVWC.
Burton said he plans on competing in the 110 hurdles
and 400 hurdles at Wesleyan.
"He still needs to work on his starting mechanics and
will need to improve his conditioning for the 400 IH," said Griffith.
Burton will be rooming with the McElfresh brothers at
WVWC. Initially, Burton and Phillip McElfresh were
planning on rooming together at WVU.