Two 12-year-old runners, Zeb Ramsden and Chase Murray, both of Lostine, had the opportunity to work with former Cove and Oregon State track star Jim Puckett, of Wallowa Lake, who guided the pair to a winning effort at the Hersheys Track and Field Games held in La Grande, June 11.

Puckett, also known as the Cove Comet (a nickname he acquired from when he competed at Cove High School) has track and field credentials dating back to the 1950s. He set a state record in the hundred-yard dash in his heyday. He also started the womens track and field team at Pleasant Hill High School. After moving on, he took the Mt. Hood Community College track team on to win national titles. Puckett also started the largest track meet in Oregon, the Masters Track Meet for older competitors.

Puckett earlier this year helped coach Chaz Murray, of Wallowa High School, to a district track title. Puckett also noticed the speed of Chazs younger brother, Chase, at a Little League baseball game earlier this year. Puckett talked to Chase, who introduced him to fellow trackster Zeb, and from there the duo were on their way to competing under Pucketts tutelage.

Chase Murray won his 440-yard race in La Grande and Zeb won the 100-yard dash and the 200-yard dash.

The Hersheys Track meet is a national track competition with qualifying meets all over the country. Both Ramsden and Murray qualified for the Hersheys State Championships to be held later in Eugene. The Hersheys track meets are a youth development program put on by the famous chocolate company every year. The national finals will be held in Hershey, Pa., the home town of the chocolate factory.