Hillsboro’s Draven Stodgel and Deon Burns ready to take on state
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Hillsboro junior Draven Stodgel enters the 2019 Division II State Track and Field Championships with some unfinished business following his state debut last season, while senior Deon Burns ends his successful high school career on the biggest stage of them all this weekend.
Both Hillsboro athletes will be wrapping up not only a very successful spring season — which saw Stodgel win a regional championship in the discus throw as well as the regional runner-up in shot put, while Burns placed in the Top 4 to stamp his state ticket — but also complete an excellent 2018-19 sports season that saw both players compete in a football playoff game and Burns qualify for the state bowling tournament this past winter.
“It’s definitely exciting to have to guys at state in the same event,” HHS coach Bud Marsh said. “These are two great kids, and I’d like to see them have success. Last year, Draven made state for both events, and Deon just got edged out, but they’ve worked hard, been consistent and I hope they are at their best this weekend.
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“Draven and Deon have worked so hard, and Coach (Ethan) Hurtt had worked so much with them, and Dave Dietrick has worked a lot with them in the past too, and both of those coaches have done a great job.”
Stodgel, a junior, was 13th overall last year at state in both the discus and shot put events as a sophomore, but following one more year of training and working on his skill set, he’s throwing even better than he was a year ago.
“I’m looking for good things. I’d like to see him get that shot off, because he’s very close to the school record held by Jonny Cole, and the discus record he’s still a way off, but he’s a lot closer than he was,” Marsh said. “At regionals, he could have thrown even further, but the wind caught his last throw.”
The Hillsboro junior was the regional champion in the discus event with a throw of 169-00, which was his PR, and was second place in the shot put with a distance of 53-09.25. At districts this month, Stodgel had distances of 160-02 (discus) and 56-03.50 (shot put). During the Frontier Athletic Conference Championships, the HHS junior thrower finished with distances of 144-10 (discus) and 52-10.25 (shot put).
Those numbers smash the distances put up by Stodgel a year ago, as at state he had a discus distance of 131-09 and shot put distance of 49-06.
“I’ve gotten a lot better at discus, and most of that is I’ve gotten a lot better with my form, a lot better,” Stodgel said. “I’ve put in a lot of work and time working on improving my form and worked in practices. I started working with Coach Hurtt about three to four days a week.
“The first few practices we came out here, I just saw with my throws I was a lot better. I did weight training almost every day, and that was a big part of my improvement, too.”
When Stodgel threw for the 169-feet distance at regionals, he said it “was a surprise.”
“It was a surprise … I definitely surprised myself,” Stodgel said. “That was my first throw at regionals, and it won the regionals. I’m more focused this year; last year I was a lot more nervous.
“My goal this year is to hopefully take second, maybe first. Going to state last year will help with this year because of I know the ring now, and just how many people will be there, and the energy that is there.”
Even though he was surprised with his distance, Stodgel had expectations to be a state qualifier again this season.
“It was more expected this year than last year. I’ve had some ups and downs through the season, but the goal was always to get back to state,” Stodgel said. “Deon has helped push me this season, and he has definitely helped me get back to this point. It was a lot of fun this season competing with Deon, getting first and second at meets. Being that close was good competition.”
Though he says discus is his favorite event, Stodgel isn’t overlooking the shot put event either, as he is looking forward to competing with his teammate again one final time as Burns is a senior.
“Being in the same event with Deon is awesome, and to come all this way is exciting for us,” Stodgel said. “My junior year has been fun with us making the football playoffs and now getting back to state. It was one of my goals entering my junior year.
“Going into shot put, I have to keep my mind straight on that and try to do everything right. It was a goal of mine to make both, but discus is my favorite event. I enjoy discus more because it is more fluid and relaxing than shot put.”
Speaking of Burns, the senior has had one great ride for his senior year. Burns played in the playoffs (as did Stodgel), as they helped lead the Indians to the postseason for the first time in over a decade. Burns was also a member of the Hillsboro boys bowling team that qualified for the state tournament. Now in his final sport of his high school career, Burns has made it as an individual by competing in the shot put event.
“It was crazy because I made it out by inches,” Burns said of being a state qualifier in shot put. “I knew that I had a chance to make it out, but toward the end of the year my shoulder started hurting and I didn’t know if I could make it, but with some luck, I was able to do what I was able to do and qualified for state.”
Burns spoke about the regional event and what was going through his mind as the event took place.
“I knew it was going to be close, and I knew going in I was sixth, so that got me kind of worried because I knew it was going to be tough. There were kids who were throwing three or four feet further than my PR (personal record), and I didn’t think I had it in me to get to where they throw,” Burns said. “Luckily, they were having bad days, and I just had a good throw, so I tied my PR. I knew that was what it was going to take, to throw my PR or more.
“It is nice to be able to make to state with Draven, too.”
Burns also said that although his shoulder wasn’t at 100 percent, none of that mattered at the end of the day at regionals.
“At that point of time, there was a lot of adrenaline pumping, so it didn’t really faze my shoulder or anything,” he said. “I was in the first flight, so after that was over, I rested through the second flight, and it was tough to get close to where I was in finals where I threw before.”
Being his senior year, and state being his final event, Burns spoke about how he got his start in track and field.
“I started back in eighth grade, and then after that I just got into it more. I’ve never clicked with discus, but shot put became my go-to,” Burns said. “I’m glad I got into it because I made a lot more friends and talked to a lot more people, met a lot more people and now I’m going to state, and all those years finally paid off.
“In middle school, I didn’t think I was going to be running, and in high school Coach Marsh decided I wasn’t running, so that made me a thrower, and it drove me because I wanted to play a third sport.”
This season, though full of success, hasn’t been a given to Burns as he said he’s battled some “ups and downs,” but it has made him better because he’s been able to compete against Stodgel in both the shot put and discus events all season long.
“It has been fun, crazy and some ups and downs. Between me and Draven, I’ve won some, he’s won some, and it is kind of nice knowing your teammate is your competition,” Burns said. “You don’t really have to know about other schools, but it is your teammate you have to worry about beating, and that has pushed me this year a lot.”
Marsh said Burns has been consistent all season, and that part of Burns’ season has been impressive.
“Deon has been consistent all season, which no matter the situation is impressive, and it is great for the school to have two kids make state,” Marsh said. “We’ve had years where we had no state qualifiers, and lately we’ve had at least four straight years of qualifiers, and having a track and facility we have now makes a big difference.”
This season, Burns at regionals had a shot put distance that put him in fourth place and made him a state qualifier with a distance of 52-03.50. At districts, his throw went for a distance of 51-00.00, also for fourth place. At the FAC Championships, Burns was second with a distance measured at 51-07.00.
“I’m glad I got to make state with one of my closest friends and this year in general we’ve helped in making a name for Hillsboro, and everyone is going to know about us. Next year, everybody is going to be cheering Draven on because I’m sure by then he has the potential to win state in both events,” Burns said.
Burns had some lofty goals in all three sports this season, and he achieved those goals with his teammates.
“I remember before football season I was talking to my mom, and I said I was hoping this year we can win the league in football, win the league in bowling and win league in track, and in track we just had a bad day at league, but the two others were good,” Burns said. “We went to the playoffs in football, went to state in bowling and now I’m going to state with the shot put, so it has been a pretty good year and a good year to go out of high school.”
Going into state for his first and final time, Burns wants to enjoy the moment and do his best.
“I’m nervous, but I just want to do the best I can and see what happens,” he said. “I want to thank Coach Marsh and Coach Hurtt for always pushing me throughout the season.
“Coach Marsh is always pushing me, and Coach Hurtt right before I throw yells, ‘C’mon Deon,’ trying to get us fired up. I also want to thank my mom and my aunt for always being at every track meet and showing support. I want to thank Draven too, because I have to beat him if I want to win events, and that has been motivation.”
Stodgel also wanted to thank those who helped him along the way.
“I want to thank Coach (Bud) Marsh, Coach Hurtt, Deon, my family and all my friends,” he said.
Coach Marsh spoke highly of his two state athletes.
“I’m really proud of what both Deon and Draven have accomplished this season,” he said. “They both have represented Hillsboro High School and the community of Hillsboro really well.”
Both Hillsboro athletes will be wrapping up not only a very successful spring season — which saw Stodgel win a regional championship in the discus throw as well as the regional runner-up in shot put, while Burns placed in the Top 4 to stamp his state ticket — but also complete an excellent 2018-19 sports season that saw both players compete in a football playoff game and Burns qualify for the state bowling tournament this past winter.
“It’s definitely exciting to have to guys at state in the same event,” HHS coach Bud Marsh said. “These are two great kids, and I’d like to see them have success. Last year, Draven made state for both events, and Deon just got edged out, but they’ve worked hard, been consistent and I hope they are at their best this weekend.
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“Draven and Deon have worked so hard, and Coach (Ethan) Hurtt had worked so much with them, and Dave Dietrick has worked a lot with them in the past too, and both of those coaches have done a great job.”
Stodgel, a junior, was 13th overall last year at state in both the discus and shot put events as a sophomore, but following one more year of training and working on his skill set, he’s throwing even better than he was a year ago.
“I’m looking for good things. I’d like to see him get that shot off, because he’s very close to the school record held by Jonny Cole, and the discus record he’s still a way off, but he’s a lot closer than he was,” Marsh said. “At regionals, he could have thrown even further, but the wind caught his last throw.”
The Hillsboro junior was the regional champion in the discus event with a throw of 169-00, which was his PR, and was second place in the shot put with a distance of 53-09.25. At districts this month, Stodgel had distances of 160-02 (discus) and 56-03.50 (shot put). During the Frontier Athletic Conference Championships, the HHS junior thrower finished with distances of 144-10 (discus) and 52-10.25 (shot put).
Those numbers smash the distances put up by Stodgel a year ago, as at state he had a discus distance of 131-09 and shot put distance of 49-06.
“I’ve gotten a lot better at discus, and most of that is I’ve gotten a lot better with my form, a lot better,” Stodgel said. “I’ve put in a lot of work and time working on improving my form and worked in practices. I started working with Coach Hurtt about three to four days a week.
“The first few practices we came out here, I just saw with my throws I was a lot better. I did weight training almost every day, and that was a big part of my improvement, too.”
When Stodgel threw for the 169-feet distance at regionals, he said it “was a surprise.”
“It was a surprise … I definitely surprised myself,” Stodgel said. “That was my first throw at regionals, and it won the regionals. I’m more focused this year; last year I was a lot more nervous.
“My goal this year is to hopefully take second, maybe first. Going to state last year will help with this year because of I know the ring now, and just how many people will be there, and the energy that is there.”
Even though he was surprised with his distance, Stodgel had expectations to be a state qualifier again this season.
“It was more expected this year than last year. I’ve had some ups and downs through the season, but the goal was always to get back to state,” Stodgel said. “Deon has helped push me this season, and he has definitely helped me get back to this point. It was a lot of fun this season competing with Deon, getting first and second at meets. Being that close was good competition.”
Though he says discus is his favorite event, Stodgel isn’t overlooking the shot put event either, as he is looking forward to competing with his teammate again one final time as Burns is a senior.
“Being in the same event with Deon is awesome, and to come all this way is exciting for us,” Stodgel said. “My junior year has been fun with us making the football playoffs and now getting back to state. It was one of my goals entering my junior year.
“Going into shot put, I have to keep my mind straight on that and try to do everything right. It was a goal of mine to make both, but discus is my favorite event. I enjoy discus more because it is more fluid and relaxing than shot put.”
Speaking of Burns, the senior has had one great ride for his senior year. Burns played in the playoffs (as did Stodgel), as they helped lead the Indians to the postseason for the first time in over a decade. Burns was also a member of the Hillsboro boys bowling team that qualified for the state tournament. Now in his final sport of his high school career, Burns has made it as an individual by competing in the shot put event.
“It was crazy because I made it out by inches,” Burns said of being a state qualifier in shot put. “I knew that I had a chance to make it out, but toward the end of the year my shoulder started hurting and I didn’t know if I could make it, but with some luck, I was able to do what I was able to do and qualified for state.”
Burns spoke about the regional event and what was going through his mind as the event took place.
“I knew it was going to be close, and I knew going in I was sixth, so that got me kind of worried because I knew it was going to be tough. There were kids who were throwing three or four feet further than my PR (personal record), and I didn’t think I had it in me to get to where they throw,” Burns said. “Luckily, they were having bad days, and I just had a good throw, so I tied my PR. I knew that was what it was going to take, to throw my PR or more.
“It is nice to be able to make to state with Draven, too.”
Burns also said that although his shoulder wasn’t at 100 percent, none of that mattered at the end of the day at regionals.
“At that point of time, there was a lot of adrenaline pumping, so it didn’t really faze my shoulder or anything,” he said. “I was in the first flight, so after that was over, I rested through the second flight, and it was tough to get close to where I was in finals where I threw before.”
Being his senior year, and state being his final event, Burns spoke about how he got his start in track and field.
“I started back in eighth grade, and then after that I just got into it more. I’ve never clicked with discus, but shot put became my go-to,” Burns said. “I’m glad I got into it because I made a lot more friends and talked to a lot more people, met a lot more people and now I’m going to state, and all those years finally paid off.
“In middle school, I didn’t think I was going to be running, and in high school Coach Marsh decided I wasn’t running, so that made me a thrower, and it drove me because I wanted to play a third sport.”
This season, though full of success, hasn’t been a given to Burns as he said he’s battled some “ups and downs,” but it has made him better because he’s been able to compete against Stodgel in both the shot put and discus events all season long.
“It has been fun, crazy and some ups and downs. Between me and Draven, I’ve won some, he’s won some, and it is kind of nice knowing your teammate is your competition,” Burns said. “You don’t really have to know about other schools, but it is your teammate you have to worry about beating, and that has pushed me this year a lot.”
Marsh said Burns has been consistent all season, and that part of Burns’ season has been impressive.
“Deon has been consistent all season, which no matter the situation is impressive, and it is great for the school to have two kids make state,” Marsh said. “We’ve had years where we had no state qualifiers, and lately we’ve had at least four straight years of qualifiers, and having a track and facility we have now makes a big difference.”
This season, Burns at regionals had a shot put distance that put him in fourth place and made him a state qualifier with a distance of 52-03.50. At districts, his throw went for a distance of 51-00.00, also for fourth place. At the FAC Championships, Burns was second with a distance measured at 51-07.00.
“I’m glad I got to make state with one of my closest friends and this year in general we’ve helped in making a name for Hillsboro, and everyone is going to know about us. Next year, everybody is going to be cheering Draven on because I’m sure by then he has the potential to win state in both events,” Burns said.
Burns had some lofty goals in all three sports this season, and he achieved those goals with his teammates.
“I remember before football season I was talking to my mom, and I said I was hoping this year we can win the league in football, win the league in bowling and win league in track, and in track we just had a bad day at league, but the two others were good,” Burns said. “We went to the playoffs in football, went to state in bowling and now I’m going to state with the shot put, so it has been a pretty good year and a good year to go out of high school.”
Going into state for his first and final time, Burns wants to enjoy the moment and do his best.
“I’m nervous, but I just want to do the best I can and see what happens,” he said. “I want to thank Coach Marsh and Coach Hurtt for always pushing me throughout the season.
“Coach Marsh is always pushing me, and Coach Hurtt right before I throw yells, ‘C’mon Deon,’ trying to get us fired up. I also want to thank my mom and my aunt for always being at every track meet and showing support. I want to thank Draven too, because I have to beat him if I want to win events, and that has been motivation.”
Stodgel also wanted to thank those who helped him along the way.
“I want to thank Coach (Bud) Marsh, Coach Hurtt, Deon, my family and all my friends,” he said.
Coach Marsh spoke highly of his two state athletes.
“I’m really proud of what both Deon and Draven have accomplished this season,” he said. “They both have represented Hillsboro High School and the community of Hillsboro really well.”