'13 State Track Feature: 'More confident'
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Though Hillsboro senior Jarrod Hart has had a very successful high school athletic career, he's still not satisfied just quite yet. The senior has one last goal in mind as he is set to race in the 2013 OHSAA State Track and Field Championships.
Hart will race this Saturday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in the 800-meter run, the same event he placed sixth in one year ago as a junior.
In that one-year span, Hart has added to his athletic career, as the three-sport athlete played his senior seasons in soccer and basketball. He was an All-District player in basketball, voted onto both the media and coaches teams.
[[In-content Ad]]Not to mention Hart signed to compete in Division I track in college, as he'll attend the University of Cincinnati beginning next fall.
"This year, I would say Jarrod is more focused and more confident," Hillsboro boys track and field varsity head coach Bud Marsh said. "He's very confident this year, and his work ethic … he came into this season in a lot better shape and leads by example.
"Jarrod has raised the bar for the team, and they've learned a lot from him. Going into this week, he's a lot more confident. The only problem we have is not knowing what he's capable of. I'm very confident in what he can accomplish."
Even with all the success in the athletic fields and in the classroom, Hart has stayed humble, but goal-oriented, as he has one final accomplishment in his sights … to not just place in the state championships, but get into the top three and see what happens from there.
"I didn't want to let myself down, my coach down or my family down to not reach it back, so I've worked hard all year to get back to state," Hart said. "I'd like to win it (the 800m), and I think I can, if I run a really good race.
"I shaved a couple seconds off my time at regionals, but winning it is the ultimate goal."
When asked if there was one moment this year when he felt everything has come together, Hart's reply was simple … "Not yet."
"Hopefully this Saturday, if I run well and run the way I want to, I get that feeling," Hart said. "I'm definitely not satisfied yet."
Hart was the Division II Athens Regional champion in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:55.66. He had a time of 1:56.82 at the Washington C.H. Districts and 2:03.83 at the South Central Ohio League meet, both first-place finishes.
Hart has won at least one SCOL championship in varying events all four years of high school track, along with being a part of two SCOL basketball championship teams his sophomore and junior seasons.
"I've faced some good competition throughout the league, districts and regionals," Hart said. "They've pushed me, and getting the district record was a confidence booster.
"I was hoping to have a little faster times than what I had, but I felt better during and after the races than I did last year. Just being in better shape has helped me be more prepared for state."
Last year at the state championships in the 800m run, Hart placed sixth with a time of 1:57.60.
"Jarrod's work ethic is beyond outstanding," Marsh said. "This year, we've probably worked on the mental game more than anything.
"In the 800, you have two laps, and you can take yourself out of it quickly. Last year, his confidence level was not really feeling it. The runners pulled away, and it was a tough day."
Hart said he was a lot more relaxed at regionals this past weekend in Athens, and he's relaxed this week now as he prepares for his second trip to state championships.
"I think I'll be a lot more relaxed at state this time," he said. "I know what I need to do. I have my schedule down pat, I have my pre-race routine down, and I'm more confident this year. I want to win the race, instead of just standing on the podium."
One difference for Hart in the Athens regional was he led the race wire-to-wire, something he didn't do much during the regular season, as he likes to take the lead on the second lap of the race.
"There was another kid with pretty much the same time as mine, so I knew I was going to be pushed," Hart said of regionals. "I went out and led the race the whole time, which is something I don't normally do.
"I felt good after the race, I wasn't exhausted … I know I have something else left in the tank and some time to cut down at state."
Another aspect of the season was Hart racing in a variety of events throughout a meet.
"Running all those events is exhausting," Hart said. "I just want to fall over after the last race, but it is fun to be on the relay teams to get the team aspect of track. I enjoy all the events … they are all exciting, and I run with good guys.
"Now, though, I'm glad I just have to worry about one race, instead of four, but I can definitely say running all the events has made me a better runner. Going from the mile (1600m) to the 800 is tough, but you have to do it. Then, 20 minutes later, I'd do that 4x4 … it has made me stronger."
Then there is the whole not having a track aspect, which all six state qualifying runners from Highland County have overcome this year and in past seasons.
"I think about it (not having a track), but running is running," he said. "It would be easier to be able to do real 400 intervals on a track. Times would be faster on an all-weather track.
"I haven't had any injuries or shin splints on it, so I just make do with what I have. Hopefully, in a couple years, I can come back to Hillsboro and train on an all-weather track."
Confidence and hard work have played a big key for Hart's repeat journey in the 800m state run.
"I'm a lot more confident and definitely in better shape than last year," Hart said. "I didn't know what to expect headed into state last year. Last year when I was training, I did a lot more miles, but this year, it's been a lot of sprint work.
"I've gotten to run with other good runners in practice. Joe Beery and De-Andre Steward have really pushed me in practice. We compete off each other, so that was good for us."
Hart spoke more about having Beery (the SCOL champion in the 3200m run) to practice with, who was on hand to help Hart practice for the state championships.
"He helps a lot," Hart said. "Instead of being able to cruise the last 400 or the last set, he's there to push me. We are both very competitive, and we feed off each other, which helps us both and sets the tone."
Marsh said all the success Hart has achieved has been earned with his hard work.
"Jarrod makes me look good," Marsh said with a laugh. "Jarrod has done so much for this program. Would we have won the league last year without him? No. He's really has given us a name, helped the kids out.
"His attitude and work habits have helped the kids. We try to keep it relaxed, but Jarrod will come up and say 'we need to step things up some.' The kids follow him … and they don't want to let him down. I've had some really good athletes throughout the years, but someone like Jarrod … someone like him doesn't come through that often."
Headed into this year, Hart has the one-year experience, and all but one runner who had a better time than Hart last year have graduated.
"There are some good runners this year, but I'm confident I can run with the top two runners and hopefully get them at the end," Hart said.
Hart will race this Saturday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in the 800-meter run, the same event he placed sixth in one year ago as a junior.
In that one-year span, Hart has added to his athletic career, as the three-sport athlete played his senior seasons in soccer and basketball. He was an All-District player in basketball, voted onto both the media and coaches teams.
[[In-content Ad]]Not to mention Hart signed to compete in Division I track in college, as he'll attend the University of Cincinnati beginning next fall.
"This year, I would say Jarrod is more focused and more confident," Hillsboro boys track and field varsity head coach Bud Marsh said. "He's very confident this year, and his work ethic … he came into this season in a lot better shape and leads by example.
"Jarrod has raised the bar for the team, and they've learned a lot from him. Going into this week, he's a lot more confident. The only problem we have is not knowing what he's capable of. I'm very confident in what he can accomplish."
Even with all the success in the athletic fields and in the classroom, Hart has stayed humble, but goal-oriented, as he has one final accomplishment in his sights … to not just place in the state championships, but get into the top three and see what happens from there.
"I didn't want to let myself down, my coach down or my family down to not reach it back, so I've worked hard all year to get back to state," Hart said. "I'd like to win it (the 800m), and I think I can, if I run a really good race.
"I shaved a couple seconds off my time at regionals, but winning it is the ultimate goal."
When asked if there was one moment this year when he felt everything has come together, Hart's reply was simple … "Not yet."
"Hopefully this Saturday, if I run well and run the way I want to, I get that feeling," Hart said. "I'm definitely not satisfied yet."
Hart was the Division II Athens Regional champion in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:55.66. He had a time of 1:56.82 at the Washington C.H. Districts and 2:03.83 at the South Central Ohio League meet, both first-place finishes.
Hart has won at least one SCOL championship in varying events all four years of high school track, along with being a part of two SCOL basketball championship teams his sophomore and junior seasons.
"I've faced some good competition throughout the league, districts and regionals," Hart said. "They've pushed me, and getting the district record was a confidence booster.
"I was hoping to have a little faster times than what I had, but I felt better during and after the races than I did last year. Just being in better shape has helped me be more prepared for state."
Last year at the state championships in the 800m run, Hart placed sixth with a time of 1:57.60.
"Jarrod's work ethic is beyond outstanding," Marsh said. "This year, we've probably worked on the mental game more than anything.
"In the 800, you have two laps, and you can take yourself out of it quickly. Last year, his confidence level was not really feeling it. The runners pulled away, and it was a tough day."
Hart said he was a lot more relaxed at regionals this past weekend in Athens, and he's relaxed this week now as he prepares for his second trip to state championships.
"I think I'll be a lot more relaxed at state this time," he said. "I know what I need to do. I have my schedule down pat, I have my pre-race routine down, and I'm more confident this year. I want to win the race, instead of just standing on the podium."
One difference for Hart in the Athens regional was he led the race wire-to-wire, something he didn't do much during the regular season, as he likes to take the lead on the second lap of the race.
"There was another kid with pretty much the same time as mine, so I knew I was going to be pushed," Hart said of regionals. "I went out and led the race the whole time, which is something I don't normally do.
"I felt good after the race, I wasn't exhausted … I know I have something else left in the tank and some time to cut down at state."
Another aspect of the season was Hart racing in a variety of events throughout a meet.
"Running all those events is exhausting," Hart said. "I just want to fall over after the last race, but it is fun to be on the relay teams to get the team aspect of track. I enjoy all the events … they are all exciting, and I run with good guys.
"Now, though, I'm glad I just have to worry about one race, instead of four, but I can definitely say running all the events has made me a better runner. Going from the mile (1600m) to the 800 is tough, but you have to do it. Then, 20 minutes later, I'd do that 4x4 … it has made me stronger."
Then there is the whole not having a track aspect, which all six state qualifying runners from Highland County have overcome this year and in past seasons.
"I think about it (not having a track), but running is running," he said. "It would be easier to be able to do real 400 intervals on a track. Times would be faster on an all-weather track.
"I haven't had any injuries or shin splints on it, so I just make do with what I have. Hopefully, in a couple years, I can come back to Hillsboro and train on an all-weather track."
Confidence and hard work have played a big key for Hart's repeat journey in the 800m state run.
"I'm a lot more confident and definitely in better shape than last year," Hart said. "I didn't know what to expect headed into state last year. Last year when I was training, I did a lot more miles, but this year, it's been a lot of sprint work.
"I've gotten to run with other good runners in practice. Joe Beery and De-Andre Steward have really pushed me in practice. We compete off each other, so that was good for us."
Hart spoke more about having Beery (the SCOL champion in the 3200m run) to practice with, who was on hand to help Hart practice for the state championships.
"He helps a lot," Hart said. "Instead of being able to cruise the last 400 or the last set, he's there to push me. We are both very competitive, and we feed off each other, which helps us both and sets the tone."
Marsh said all the success Hart has achieved has been earned with his hard work.
"Jarrod makes me look good," Marsh said with a laugh. "Jarrod has done so much for this program. Would we have won the league last year without him? No. He's really has given us a name, helped the kids out.
"His attitude and work habits have helped the kids. We try to keep it relaxed, but Jarrod will come up and say 'we need to step things up some.' The kids follow him … and they don't want to let him down. I've had some really good athletes throughout the years, but someone like Jarrod … someone like him doesn't come through that often."
Headed into this year, Hart has the one-year experience, and all but one runner who had a better time than Hart last year have graduated.
"There are some good runners this year, but I'm confident I can run with the top two runners and hopefully get them at the end," Hart said.