Draven Stodgel to compete twice in state debut
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The Hillsboro Indians have a new face competing for the very first time at the OHSAA Division II State Track and Field Championships this weekend in sophomore Draven Stodgel, who began his rise to being one of the top athletes in the state in both shot put and discus while in middle school.
Stodgel first started track and field at the suggestion of his father, and what a decision that has become for the sophomore, who has seen a gradual improvement to his abilities in the shot put and discus events throughout the season.
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At the Division II Regional Championships held at Muskingum University last Saturday, Stodgel earned his tickets to the state meet with a fourth-place finish in the shot put event with a distance of 51-03.50. On the first day of regionals last Thursday, Stodgel was the regional runner-up in the discus event with a distance of 147-04.
Before earning his spot at the state championships, Stodgel was the district champion in shot put, winning the event at Washington C.H. with a distance of 52-07.50, and at the same two-day event, Stodgel was third in discus at 147-05.
At the Frontier Athletic Conference championships this past month, also held in Washington C.H., Stodgel was successful with a championship earned in the shot put event at 49-11.00 and was third in discus at 129-01.
“I enjoy the excitement of the fans during the events,” Stodgel said of his favorite aspects about competing in both the shot put and discus events. “I did not actually [expect to make state in both events]. I was very bad at the beginning, but I’ve come around. I just learned better form, and that changed everything.”
Hillsboro athletic director Dave Dietrick, who is also a throwing coach for the Hillsboro track and field team, spoke about Stodgel and his journey to earning spots in two state events.
“This is Draven’s fourth year throwing, counting his two years in junior high and his two high school seasons. He’s in a sport and an activity where generally you don’t see too many freshmen and sophomores performing at this level,” Dietrick said. “That’s the big thing, the difference between the seasons, is he’s growing and maturing. A big part of it is he continues to grow and mature. I’ve had the opportunity to be around him a good bit, and I appreciate watching him throw.”
Being that he’s never watched the state championships live or competed in them in the past, Stodgel is excited to be a part of the event this year. He said even though he’s made it, he’s still learning how to get better in the sport.
“It’s very hard. I’m still learning,” Stodgel said of competing in the shot put and discus events. “I enjoy the shot put more. I’m better at it, I think. I just try to do my best and work on improving at both events.
“I’m a little more nervous, actually [on competing at state]. I wasn’t expecting to go in the discus, so two events – that’s pretty scary, but exciting at the same time. I was very excited when I qualified at regionals. I’m very excited, and I’m glad I made it.”
Stodgel first started track and field at the suggestion of his father, and what a decision that has become for the sophomore, who has seen a gradual improvement to his abilities in the shot put and discus events throughout the season.
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At the Division II Regional Championships held at Muskingum University last Saturday, Stodgel earned his tickets to the state meet with a fourth-place finish in the shot put event with a distance of 51-03.50. On the first day of regionals last Thursday, Stodgel was the regional runner-up in the discus event with a distance of 147-04.
Before earning his spot at the state championships, Stodgel was the district champion in shot put, winning the event at Washington C.H. with a distance of 52-07.50, and at the same two-day event, Stodgel was third in discus at 147-05.
At the Frontier Athletic Conference championships this past month, also held in Washington C.H., Stodgel was successful with a championship earned in the shot put event at 49-11.00 and was third in discus at 129-01.
“I enjoy the excitement of the fans during the events,” Stodgel said of his favorite aspects about competing in both the shot put and discus events. “I did not actually [expect to make state in both events]. I was very bad at the beginning, but I’ve come around. I just learned better form, and that changed everything.”
Hillsboro athletic director Dave Dietrick, who is also a throwing coach for the Hillsboro track and field team, spoke about Stodgel and his journey to earning spots in two state events.
“This is Draven’s fourth year throwing, counting his two years in junior high and his two high school seasons. He’s in a sport and an activity where generally you don’t see too many freshmen and sophomores performing at this level,” Dietrick said. “That’s the big thing, the difference between the seasons, is he’s growing and maturing. A big part of it is he continues to grow and mature. I’ve had the opportunity to be around him a good bit, and I appreciate watching him throw.”
Being that he’s never watched the state championships live or competed in them in the past, Stodgel is excited to be a part of the event this year. He said even though he’s made it, he’s still learning how to get better in the sport.
“It’s very hard. I’m still learning,” Stodgel said of competing in the shot put and discus events. “I enjoy the shot put more. I’m better at it, I think. I just try to do my best and work on improving at both events.
“I’m a little more nervous, actually [on competing at state]. I wasn’t expecting to go in the discus, so two events – that’s pretty scary, but exciting at the same time. I was very excited when I qualified at regionals. I’m very excited, and I’m glad I made it.”