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It was the first time a Mancelona track and field athlete has won two state titles in the same year.

But that's not enough for Duerksen. He also feels a personal obligation to overtake Adam Stuber, who holds the records in both the 110- meter high hurdles and the 300-meter interemdiate hurdles, and uphold a family tradition.

Stuber established both standards back in 1998, running the 110- meter hurdles in 14.46 seconds and the 300 in 39 seconds flat.

Duerksen's best times are close to both marks, so his chances of becoming the new recordholder in the hurdles are certainly better than even.

He's run the 110 hurdles in 14.85, and his 300-meter time of 39.95 places him tantalzingly near Stuber's mark as well.

Wiping out Stuber's records would permit Duerksen to join his father, aunt, uncles, sisters and brother among the record-setters in the family.

Coach Ron Davis believes it's a positive motivation for Duerksen, who also runs the 400-meter run for the Ironmen and is a natural team leader.

"The biggest thing is his focus," Davis said. He does football, and plays basketball. As soon as basketball is over, he starts training for track).

"In the races, he runs faster if someone is pushing him. Graham Burry from Bellaire gives him competition). They are always pushing each other.

"Burry ran his better times when he went against Adam. It's just that competition (that spurs them on). I think he (Duerksen) has a college picked out. But, I can't remember what he told me it was."

Duerksen's only loss in the hurdles was at the beginning of the season, when he tripped and fell near the finish line at Central Lake.

He went undefeated the remainder of the season. Trips to Australia and Hawaii this summer for international competition in the 400 should serve as a good tuneup for Duerksen, according to Davis.

Finding challengers in the hurdle events next year shouldn't be a problem.

He'll be a marked man, like a gunslinger riding into town. Everyone will be eying to be the one to beat him to the draw and take him down.

Which is fine with Duerksen, who according to his coach thrives on competition.

Along with Duerksen's return next season, Davis also expects Peter Churchill, the Ironmen's best distance runner this spring, back as well as their best 400-meter runner.

In addition, Davis figures on a crack group of middle school athletes coming up to the varsity as freshmen and making an immediate impact.

But the Ironmen will be looking for some new sprinters. Other than a sophomore who broke out late in the season to look strong, all the other sprinters were seniors.

Duerksen won the 100 and 200 races, as well as the hurdle events, at the Ski Valley Conference championship meet. But, he can only compete in so many events.

Josh Simmons, expected to play football and run track at Alma College next fall according to Davis, is the biggest loss among the sprinters.

The return of David Birgy, who'll be a junior next year, will give the Ironmen strength in the throwing events. His best throw in the discus was 119 feet.

Churchill broke 11 minutes in the 3200- meter run three times this year. His best time was 10:44.

"We did better (this year) than I actually expected," said Davis. "I didn't really know that Adam was going to run as great as he did. My 400 runner, Mike Herczak, did real well this year.

"I expect Herczak to go to state next year. Onaway barely beat us in the conference meet. We had five first places at the conference meet, but Onaway had a lot more depth."