Drew Parry isn’t lacking for confidence this track season.
The Maumee senior has gone into every track meet this spring expecting to outdo everyone in the shot put.
He won the shot competition at every dual meet the Panthers were involved in during the regular season. He easily won the Northern Lakes League championship before taking first place at the district meet.
Making his second straight trip to the Division I regional track meet, Parry hopes to continue with his winning habits today at Amherst Steele.
"This is the first meet that I know I’m probably not going to win it, so I hope that the extra boost will help me,’’ Parry said. "I basically knew that I could have a bad day [from previous meets] and still could win.’’
Parry, a 6-2, 295-pounder, qualified for the regional with a personal-best throw of 51-41/2 to place first at the district a week ago at St. Francis de Sales. He was the only competitor at the meet to mark with a throw measuring 50 feet or better. However, he enters regionals not owning the best qualifying effort among the field.
Nevertheless, Parry has prepared himself to make the most out of his last chance to win a regional title while also attempting to qualify for the state meet. The top four finishers in each event automatically qualify for the state meet scheduled for next Friday and Saturday at Ohio State.
"I hope to add a couple of feet on my best throw and whatever happens, happens,’’ Parry said. "Anything can happen in the shot put.’’
Anything basically did happen for Parry a year ago. Unfortunately, it resulted in him learning a hard lesson.
It was at the regional last year where Parry’s junior season for track came to an end. Inclement weather made conditions for track and field less than ideal. Furthermore, heavy rainfall delayed the meet for approximately an hour.
The delay led Parry and a few friends away from the competition and into a nearby store to pass the time. However, by the time he returned to the track there was only enough time for him to get in two warm-up throws before the competition commenced. As a result, Parry struggled and failed to advance to state.
"No way that’ll happen again,’’ he said. "I think we’ll be prepared this time.’’
A perennial All-Northern Lakes League offensive lineman, Parry intends to walk on at Ohio State in the fall. While some mid-major colleges expressed interest in him, Parry said college football recruits expressed concern about him being only 6-2.
"Track is a workout for football,’’ Parry said. "It’s something to keep me competing.’’
