It didn’t take long for coaches to notice his speed.
Back in seventh grade, Brian Mashak discovered that he was faster than most other kids while on the football field. He was quickly pointed in the direction of track and field during the spring time, and Mashak naturally gravitated towards sprinting events.
The choice to pick up starting blocks was a wise one as Mashak has had a quick start to the 2016 season, leading the Bayfield High School track and field team in the 100-and 200-meter dashes.
The junior sprinter opened the season with a win in the 100-meter dash at the Piedra Vista Invitational on March 12 where he ran in 11.64 seconds while besting over 70 other sprinters on the day.
The son of Bryan Meador and Melanie Mashak repeated his performance a week later at the Center Invitational by taking first and improving his time in the 100 with a 11.44 seconds. Mashak also took first in the 200 with a time of 23.40.
“I try to beat myself and not compete against all the other (sprinters),” said Mashak. “I go for a new personal record every time, and worry about my placing later. I race the clock rather than everyone else.”
Early on in his track career, Mashak already is eyeing the BHS record books with the 100 and 200 times first on his list. The 100 record is 11.17 seconds, which was set by Dakota Decker in 2008 at the Colorado High School Activities Association 2A-3A State Track and Field Meet.
Keith Wickman owns the 200 record with 22.56, which was set in 2013 state meet.
With his improving times, Mashak shouldn’t have an issue finding his footing to compete with those marks. His current personal record in the 100 is 11.44 seconds and he runs a 23.40 second 200. Both times were set last season at the Aztec B&B Invitational.
Mashak is also looking on improving from a disappointing end to last season; pulling his hamstring while he anchored the second-ranked 4x100-meter relay team at state. With a injured hamstring, Mashak finished at state taking seventh place in the 100 and ninth in the 200.
“I’m looking forward to getting back and doing better than I did last year,” said Mashak. “I’m hoping for the best, I can see myself doing a lot better than last year, but I can’t get too far ahead.”
Because of Mashak’s value to the team, BHS head coach Gary Heide is slowly integrating him into the season because Mashak arrived late to the team over basketball conflicts.
Eventually, Mashak will take on more events as he did last year. Mashak ran one event two weeks ago, two events one week ago and will run three events at the upcoming Cortez Invitational at Montezuma-Cortez High School on March 25 by adding the 4x100 along with the 100 and 200.
In fact, he will look to add more events to his repertoire like the 400-meter dash, which will most likely happen after spring break.
“Right now we’re just going to earmark one sprint relay,” said Heide. “I think he would be a tremendous 400 runner because of his strength.”
Mashak’s strength is his middle-stride of his races, which is why he excels and prefers the 200. But his favorite race is the 4x200. Mashak can get to a mid-point stride that puts him at top speed.
“Not many people like it,” said Mashak of the 200. “I try and push myself to beat everyone else.”
With a smaller margin of error, Mashak said running the 100 is more mental than the 200 because there is more adrenaline rushing through his veins at the starting block.
“His greatest asset is his competitive spirit,” said Heide. “He really likes to drive hard, he likes to win races. When he loses, he’s upset, and he’s very determined to come back and win the next time. He’s powerfully strong with great quickness, he has a fast muscle twitch.”
Mashak’s relentlessness to get faster by milliseconds is a determination that many student-athletes his age don’t have. He works hard in practice to get better.
Because of his work ethic on the track, Heide thinks he’ll have a successful season.
“Quite frankly I see him in the top three,” said Heide. “Anything can happen when you line up against the top eight. My goal as a coach is to shoot for top three in both (100 and 200), and if you’re shooting for top three, that means you got a chance to make it.
jmentzer@durangoherald.com
Behind the Scenes
Who is your favorite athlete? Michael Jordan
What is your favorite sports movie? ‘Friday Night Lights’
What do you prefer, the 100-or 200-meter dash? The 200-meter dash.
What’s the worst place to travel for an event? Center, their track isn’t very good.
What do you listen to while warming up? Drake and Future.
What’s your favorite outdoor activity? Hiking with friends.
What teacher has made the greatest impact on you? Mr. Mismer, BHS math teacher, he’s always teaching life lessons.
Do you have any nicknames? “Bri-Bri”
What’s your dream vacation? Venice, Italy
What’s your favorite place to take a date? The movies.
