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Brown finished sixth at the Firebird Invitational on Thursday with a throw of 44-05.0. Smith was 10th with 40-00.5 after the first day of competition. The two-day event continued Friday night at Fairmont High School.
Thursday’s effort under gray skies didn’t approach personal bests for either thrower. But they hope that changes in the coming weeks, starting with the Greater Western Ohio Conference championships next Wednesday and Friday in Troy.
“I was hoping to throw at least to where I can stand out at big meets,” said Brown, who has accomplished that with a personal-best effort of 48-01.5 this season. “I’ve been doing good this whole year. Just keep getting better. Today wasn’t one of my best days but we’ll work on it.”
Smith, a first-year track athlete, has thrown 43-05.5 for his personal best. The 5-11, 160-pounder decided to take up track to help him stay in shape for football season at Central State University this fall. He was going to try out for baseball again but missed the tryouts. Springfield coach Mike Davis then recruited Smith for track, and especially the shot put.
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“I was like, uhhhh okay,” Smith said, smiling. “He got me to throw and I stuck with it and kept going. … Sometimes at night I can’t sleep and I think, ‘Man, I really should have run track or thrown the shot all four years.’ But I found track this year and I like it.”
Brown, who qualified for the junior high state championships last season, emerged on the athletic scene as a starter on the Springfield football team’s offensive and defensive lines. He was a running back and linebacker in junior high.
“He’s come out of nowhere,” Davis said. “We expected big things but we didn’t expect 48 this year. He’s been consistent and I think he’s starting to peak. I’m hoping over the next couple of weeks he can hit 52. That would be great for him as a freshman.”
Brown said he mostly coached himself last season, and this season he’s benefited from the coaching – even from Smith.
“This is my first year so I’ve helped him even when he’s helping me,” Smith said. “I don’t know much about it but I listen to my coaches so I can help him a little bit, even with the little things. I’ve been hurt a couple times this season so I’ve had time to watch YouTube videos and help him. I gotta help him because he’s my teammate. I want to help him go to state. Maybe both of us can go to state.”
At last season’s Division I regional meet a throw of 53-05 claimed the fourth and final spot for the state meet. It would take a career day for Brown and Smith to make up that ground, but they plan on giving it their best shot.
“We’re looking to go far,” Smith said. “Me and Jok. They want us to go to state. We’re just trying to make it.”
“We push each other,” added Brown. “He’s been a leader being a senior. … I’ve got the strength I just need the technique. When I get the technique down it’ll just go from there.”
Brown knows he has three more seasons after this one to qualify for state. That takes some of the pressure off. While Smith is finished after this season don’t be surprised to see him at Wildcats’ meets checking in on Brown in the coming seasons.
“His senior year he’s going to go crazy,” Smith said. “A freshman right now throwing 48 … that’s crazy.”
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