AOTW: Athens’ Carpenter aiming high for state finals pass
A LEG UP: Troy Athens senior Evan Carpenter is one of the area's top perfromers in the 100-meter high hurdles and has a chance of qualifying for the state finals in three events this season. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt.
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
TROY— Earlier in the track and field season, a couple of Evan Carpenter’s teammates approached him about doing the high jump in a relay meet. The Troy Athens senior conceded.
After all, that is what senior captains do, lead by example and do what it takes for the team to succeed.
“They just needed a third guy, so I did it,” said Carpenter. “I high jumped some in (middle school).”
As it turns out, Carpenter has added the high jump to his multi-event versatile repertoire, as the fourth-year varsity veteran has competed in numerous events in his career — mainly the hurdles, jumps and three different relays.
The 6-foot, 175-pound Carpenter has had a great season so far, placing in a wide variety of events at large meets.
At the recent OAA Blue Division championship meet, Carpenter was second in the long jump (20-5), fourth in the high jump (5-11), third in the 110 hurdles (15.2) and his 400 relay placed fourth (45.8).
He has much bigger goals in mind and that involves advancing to the state meet for the first time in his career.
At the Division 1 regional this Friday at Warren Mott, Carpenter will run four events. He is seeded first in the 110-meter high hurdles at 14.8, third in the high jump (6-1), fourth in the long jump (20-10) and his 400 relay is seeded sixth (45.1).
Evan Carpenter goes through a hurdles workout at a recent Troy Athens track practice. The senior has gone 14.8 already this season in the 110 hurdles. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt
Yet Carpenter knows that one must reach the standard at the one-day regional meet. The top two finishers in each event, plus other reaching the pre-determined additional qualifying standard, advance to the Lower Peninsula Division 1 state finals June 4 at Rockford High School.
“I have to do it Friday,” said Carpenter. “I was really close in the hurdles and long jump last year. This is my last chance this season.”
Carpenter was third in both the long jump and 110 hurdles, his signature event, at last year’s regional, missing the long jump by only a couple of inches and the 110 hurdles by one-tenth of a second.
“He’s a great kid,” said Athens veteran coach John Epple. “I hope he makes it in at least one of his events. He deserves it. The kid works hard and always come to practice. He takes it seriously. He’s a quiet leader who leads by example.”
Carpenter is also a three-year letterman on the Red Hawks’ soccer team and also plays club soccer in the off season. He hopes his hard work and determination on the track pays off this weekend.
“It’s been a lot of work, so I’m hoping that it all pays off here at the end,” said Carpenter, acknowledging the season’s final couple of weeks.
Carpenter will also run in the Oakland County Championships on May 27 at Milford High School, as he is one of the top five hurdles in talent-laden Oakland County and is aiming to go well under 15 seconds in the hurdles. The Athens school record in the 110s is 14.4.
“That’s going to be tough, but I think if I can make it to the state meet and run well at the county, then I might have a chance,” smiled Carpenter, who will be entering the business school at the University of Michigan next fall.
“I’m really hoping to qualify for state. It’s been a dream of mine all season, my whole time here at Athens,” said Carpenter. “When I first came in, I wasn’t so sure. I came into the season with two sprained ankles. It wasn’t looking so good. Now, I’m healthy and I want to finish strong.”
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Category: BWW Athlete of the Week, High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps, Troy, Troy Athens
