Tom King

Here are a few tids and bits to munch on poolside – that’s where the weather says we should be after the ice age of Memorial Day Weekend ended – as we have the first weekend in the month of June.

First, there’s an incredible special significance to the Nashua High School North Division I title track sweep of a weekend ago.

Yes, it’s only the second time its been done in 22 years. But here’s the thing: You have to remember these athletes didn’t have a complete indoor season. Oh, there were a couple of dual meets at places like the Hampshire Dome in Milford for some teams, and maybe a couple of other spots. But all they did was practice,work out and prepare. The coaches had to be pointing to the spring as their time to strike.

The other fact is neither team was a favorite. Oh, sure, if there was a perfect storm it could happen. It did.

Three, the coaches. The dedication is incredible. Renee Archer and Jaqueline Thompson, longtime friends, just focused on every aspect, including coaching the throwers and field events.

And then there’s Art Kobs. Kobs is old school, and knows talent when he sees it, and evidently lured Curtis Harris-Lopez back to compete in one more track season after he had said in March he was done. Kobs has been coaching in Nashua a long time, and deserves all the accolades he can get. The only negative is when he was coaching JV boys hoop under then varsity coach George Noucas and his games used to drive yours truly crazy because they’d always go into overtime.

Parents, your athletes this spring were in great hands.

• As yours truly has already written on nashuatelegraph.com, it was very sad to hear of the passing of former Nashua Mayor Don Davidson. His mark on the city’s sports history is irrefutable, because he was adamant that Holman Stadium be a destination for teams and events – and tenants. He brought the Pride to Nashua – in fact, if this scribe’s memory is correct, he came up with the team nickname.

And, of course, he was a huge Green Bay Packers fan; would love to hear his take on Aaron Rodgers. He wouldn’t hold back, that’s for sure.

There are a lot of people responsible for the jewel that Holman is today, especially Davidson’s successor at City Hall, Bernie Streeter, and former Pride owner Chris English. But the concept began with Don Davidson.

• Still on track, it’s great news that the New Hampshire Decathlon/Heptathlon will be back , taking place June 18-20, this time at the Nashua North track. Reminder that not only are high school athletes eligible to compete but also incoming 2021 freshmen. Look for info in the Sunday Telegraph and nashuatelegaph.com.

It will be the official final event of what has been an incredible and unique 2020-21 high school sports year.

• Oh, the Patriots and the Mac Jones talk and hype is getting ridiculous, with predictions he’ll be the starter by that game/week or this game/week.

Please people. The deal is simple. Jones will go out and compete in camp, practice, etc. If he shows he’s the best of the bunch, including better than Cam Newton, he’ll play. We think it’s really that simple.

Tom King can be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or on twitter @Telegraph _TomK.

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