Home Delivery |
Contact Us |
Jobs |
Alerts |
News Archives |
Site map |
Log In |
Webmail |
Internet Services |
Mobile
Text size: 
Brotherly love takes over RI sprint group
Comment on this story |
Print this story | Email this story
By Daniel Makarewicz, danmak@qconline.com
By Daniel Makarewicz, danmak@qconline.com
|
What sometimes sparks an altercation is something so trivial. From Isaiah Ellis' perspective, it was footwear. Ellis recalls the exact moment, remembering the practice as if it happened the previous day. Standing on the Public Schools Stadium track, the Rock Island freshman sprinter immediately found a reason to call out his brother Derrick that soon start a typical sibling spat. Derrick wore Isaiah's socks to practice. "I'm the only one in the house with black socks," Isaiah said. "I knew they were mine. He doesn't have black socks." Another set of Rocky track brothers -- Brandon and Brian Richardson -- found one more argument spark. "We always fight about clothes, socks and shoes," Brian said. "It's brotherly love." Despite the arguments, love does define these siblings. Sure, there may be a disagreement from time to time, but mutual respect and admiration forms a unique bond within each set of brother that cannot be broken. Taking a few minutes to chat with each of them reveals that. "It's fun," Isaiah Ellis said. "It's special." From a talent standpoint, this group fits that description. Derrick Ellis, a senior, and sophomore Brandon Richardson compiled two legs of last year's Class 2A state title-winning 4x100-meter relay. Those two, plus junior Brian Richardson, help form Class 3A's 10th-fastest 4x100 after it ran a 42.92 at the Shipley Invitational three weeks ago. The lone freshman in the group -- Isaiah Ellis -- may have the highest ceiling among the group, at least in his brother's eyes. "I want him to get past me," Derrick Ellis said. "I have one state championship ring -- I want him to get two or more so we can keep that tradition going." All Brian Richardson wants is one title. Part of the reason Brian joined the team for the first time this spring is so he could run with his brother. Another motivation comes from walking through his living room. "We've got a podium in our house with stuff on it," Brian said. "I go past it and see (Brandon's state title) ring. I want to get one." A competitive streak fuels this relationship. "We compete with each other," Brandon said. "But it's a good thing having him on the team." The Richardsons have two seasons together, allowing them to further build a relationship that is athletically gifted and tight. Both are two-sport athletes, but Brian does not play football and Brandon takes the basketball season off. Because of that, the spring is their time to compete against each other. One season is all the Ellis brothers have with each other, so they are soaking up the experience. "I like it because I can show him how it is to be a champion," Derrick Ellis said. "He'll be right behind me trying to do everything I do. If there are any mistakes he makes, I can correct them because I've a good four years in this program." For the most part, the brothers have the ultimate respect for each other and their abilities on the track. Things get different when it comes to outerwear. "Arguments," Brandon Richardson said. The Ellis brothers encounter the same issues. "It's some brother-brother fights just like the Richardsons," Derrick Ellis said. "They fight about their clothes at practice every day. Sometimes (Rocky coach Ed) Lillis will have to stop them from arguing. We'll probably look back in the future and just laugh." The future, though, is something each brother is cherishing. "We're enjoying it," Brian Richardson said. There's no argument needed with that answer. 
|
 
|
 |
|
||
East moline, IL Details |
|||
| (More Print Ads) |
Today is Friday, May 24, the 144th day of 2013. There are 221 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: A military escort will be at the square at 9 a.m. tomorrow forthe funeral of Lieut. Joseph Eaton. The county judge is absent in Chicago, which willaccount for his not being in the procession.
1888 -- 125 years ago: Rock Island's City Council last night appropriated $95,000 forexpenses for the 1888 and 1889 fiscal year.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Mrs. F.W. Reimers last night was re-elected president of the RockIsland Musical Club at a meeting in the New Harper Hotel.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Seven members of Boy Scout Troop 21 got their Eagle badges lastnight. They were Ralph Hurt, Robert Nelson, Howard Schersten, Cecil Nelson, RobertFryxell, Clarence Stone and Rollin Hurt.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Mayor Morris Muhleman has resorted to a form letter in an effort toanswer objections to the wheel tax increase. "It was my hope that I could, in some way,restore the faith of the citizens in our city. In order to do this I knew I must face the factthat I would become very unpopular."All they are trying to do is protect the citizensproperty and build their town.
1988 -- 25 years ago: RICCA, the Rock Island County Council on Addictions, inconjunction with the Quad City Downs, will hold its annual "Night at the Races" June 2.The benefit "Night at the Races" will raise funds locally to assist in maintaining the twohalfway houses, New Hope Lodge (for women) and Beacon House (for men).
(More History)