Cardinal Points

Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Andrei Popovici Vlad Jason Dessureault

Jason Dessureault knew he was always the fastest kid in any sport he would compete in.

Luckily for Plattsburgh State, the senior hurdler from Champlain chose to take his speed to its college's track team.

Already this year, Dessureault helped the Cards to a third-place finish, tying with Rochester Institute of Technology at the St. Lawrence University Indoor Invitational at Newell Field House.

The Northeastern Clinton Central High School graduate ran the 400-meter dash in a time of 51.41.

The senior also teamed with Andrew Hussinger, Jeff Dobson and Geoff Sitch to break a Plattsburgh school record in the 800-meter relay.

The foursome ran the event in a time of 1minute and 29.85 seconds at the Dartmouth Indoor Classic at Leverone Field House.

On Feb. 10, Dessureault participated in the Valentine's Day Invitational hosted by Boston University.

Mike Bauer, Dobson, Sitch and Dessureault ran the 4x400 relay and placed sixth with a time of 3 minutes and 18.97 seconds, bettering D-I teams from Army, Boston College, Brown and Colgate.

This relay qualified the team for the NCAA Division III Championships.

Last month, Dessureault scored in the 400-meter dash event at the 2007 Eastern College Athletic Conference Men's Indoor Track and Field Championships, which was hosted by Wesleyan University on March 2 and 3.

His 50.43 seconds was good enough for fourth place.

These achievements are just a few of many for the senior leader who not just enjoys the sport, but also the electives that go with it.

"It feels great being a team leader," Dessureault said.

"When most people are put in situations where their peers look up to them and they are able to set positive examples and motivate them to improve their skills," he said, "they get satisfaction in knowing they have helped their friends become better at what they love to do."

Freshman sprinter Megan Briddell appreciates Dessureault's guidance due to the fact that it is her first year participating in track and field at PSUC.

"He helps out the freshmen and gives them tips on what they should and should not do," Briddell said. "He gives them pointers on what they could do to get better at that certain event."

Practices for the senior start off pretty relaxed. The team warms up with stretching and other techniques, but then the workouts get more serious.

Continued...

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