Trevor Wright wasn't afraid to “give up the good to go for the great.” And because of this the Northrop senior thrower has a chance at a state title Saturday in the discus.
“I'd been working on a different technique and was ready to let it fly,” Wright said of his winning performance at last week's Wayne Regional. “I got a 13-foot (personal record).”
Wright will be joined by several other athletes Saturday in Bloomington at the IHSAA Track and Field Championships. Among the best bets for individual state championships are Snider's Mitch Dutton in the 800 meters and Homestead's Trevor Stanley in the 300 hurdles. While there may be a lack of top-ranked individuals from northeast Indiana, the area will be well-represented in the relays, primarily North Side's 1,600-meter quartet. In the team competition, Carroll, Snider and North Side finished the season ranked No. 10, 11 and 12, respectively, in the coaches poll.
Wright returns as a state qualifier in the discus and makes his first appearance in the shot put. A month ago the Indiana Tech signee was well on his way to qualifying for the state meet in both events. But simply getting to state was kind of a “been there, done that” experience. Wright finished 22th (out of 27 competitors) last year in the discus and wanted more.
“We worked on getting quicker so he can generate more force,” said Northrop's throws coach Robb Robison. “It was kind of a gamble, but Trevor was committed to taking it to the next level.”
The dedication started earlier than usual.
“I turned in my football equipment (down the hall) and then walked right in here,” Wright said of the Northrop weight room. “I didn't take a break. I wanted to get to work.”
After gaining strength all winter and early spring, Wright began working on a quicker spin technique. While he was throwing in the 150s-range in competition, he was well over 160 in practice. But doing something in practice is one thing; doing it in competition is another. And in regional competition?
“I was ready,” Wright said of last week's regional. “I was throwing 160-170 all week in practice. It was time.”
The result was a throw of 172 feet, 9 inches and a victory of over six feet. Better yet, most of Wright's throws were in the 170-foot range. The result is the No. 6 seed at Saturday's meet and a ton of confidence by both Wright and Robison.
“I think he can throw 175-plus,” Robison said.
“We're sticking to it,” Wright said of the new technique. “I've got it down now and I'm really pumped about Saturday.”
The meet may well end with a state title by North Side's 1,600-meter relay team, owner of the state's fastest time. The Redskins broke a 50-year-plus school record with its win at the Wayne Regional (3:17.70). The Redskins are led by Ed Benson and Kersten Barnfeld, both expected to finish in the top five in the open 400. Also on the relay is Tyvon Kelley, one of the state's fastest 200-meter runners.
The meet will open with the 3,200-meter relay where Carroll and Snider will be among the favorites to win the title. Carroll has the state's best time (7:47) but Snider earned revenge to win the event at the Wayne Regional.
In the 400-meter relay Snider's quartet is within a second of the state's fastest times.
