Burgess leaves behind big shoes to fill at Basic

Jeff Neubert

Tuesday, March 22, 2005 | 8:57 a.m.

A new era began Wednesday for the Basic High School track program when William Wells stepped into the footsteps of Larry Burgess, who retired last fall.

For the first time in 27 years the Wolves will run without him.

Burgess is a track and field legend in the state. He was inducted into the Southern Nevada Track and Cross County Coaches Association's Hall of Fame last November.

"It was awesome to have someone you could depend on for so long," Basic athletic director Barb Gillaspy said. "You had expectations with a guy like Burgess."

Since 1978 Burgess led the Wolves to five state titles, five state second-place finishes, and 16 regional titles.

Although the legend is gone, Gillaspy said the quality of the program Burgess left behind would continue at Basic.

"It is not going to be easy," Wells said. "There is no way I will even be able to compare myself to a coach like Burgess."

The hardest thing for students to do is adjust to the different coaching styles and personality of Wells, said Gillaspy.

Although short in numbers, Wells feels his team is ready to compete this year. They are led by one of the state's best cross-country runners, Josh Sillitoe. Michelle Taylor will help lead the girls this season. Wells said his girls' sprinters look very strong.

Cimarron-Memorial will be out to defend their boys' state championship. Although it has lost eight boys from last year, coach Harold Vaughn said his young team would get better as it gets more experience.

Palo Verde and Centennial figure to compete for the Sunset Region title. Vaughn said not to leave Bonanza out of the mix in the Sunset Region. In the Sunrise Region, expect Silverado and Desert Pines to be in the hunt for team titles again this year.