By Jim Clark

SHS graduate Odmark Ozit was given a citation of commendation by the city in recognition of his athletic achievements.

Odmark Ozit, a Somerville High School graduate and member of the boys track team, who won the State Outdoor Track Meet Triple Jump Event, was honored by the entire Board of Aldermen and the mayor at the July 9 regular meeting of the Board.

“I think the future’s in pretty good hands,” Alderman at Large John M. Connolly said, referring to Ozit, who appeared before the Board alongside SHS Coach Dave Dickerson, who is also a member of the State Coaches Hall of Fame.

Alderman Connolly presented Ozit with a special citation commending the athlete for his achievement at the track meet.

In praise of Ozit’s accomplishment, Connolly added, “This young gentleman has really brought some incredible recognition to Somerville High School. We all know there are hundreds of high schools around Massachusetts and there are thousands of competitors in track. Odmark competes in probably one of the most technically difficult of all the track and field events. We’ve heard it called the triple jump, it used to be known as the hop, skip and jump. I think we’ve all seen it. The athlete runs down a runway, jumps off one foot behind a mark, lands on the other foot in the middle of a sand pit and must jump, and the distance is measured from there.”

Coach Dickerson said of Ozit, “If you looked up the word teamwork in the dictionary, this young man’s picture should be there.”

Ozit will be attending Roxbury Community College next year.