Jeff's Wilson approaches sectional hurdles
As a youth, Tim Wilson loved to jump over benches and other obstacles in his way.
Thursday, the Lafayette Jeff senior begins his quest to return to the state finals in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles at the Lafayette Jeff Sectional track and field meet. Wilson is the top seed and defending sectional champion in both hurdles events.
"Honestly, my favorite race is hurdles," Wilson said. "I've been doing it since I was little, on the street. When I went to Tecumseh Junior High, I tried hurdles and I loved it. It's one of the scariest races, but it's so challenging.
"Everybody can jump, everybody can run, but with obstacles in the way see what you can do to keep your speed and attack the hurdle at the same time."
Lafayette Jeff assistant coach Josh Hembrough, who won a Big Ten 110-meter hurdles championship at Purdue, believes Wilson has the potential to win a state championship.
"He's a hurdler who is very smooth with his steps," Hembrough said. "He's able to run the same exact steps throughout the hurdles, but what's most impressive is his strong finish. In the beginning you see a couple of guys beating him, but he always comes back in the end."
Jeff head coach Larry Griggs has seen a lot of growth from Wilson from his days as a freshman.
"He's gotten a lot stronger over the last four years," Griggs said. "He's worked hard in the weight room. Physically, he's probably in the best shape of his life. He works hard in the classroom and he works hard in everything he does. He's definitely got the ability to compete at the next level."
The next level, Wilson hopes, will be at either Indiana State or Purdue following two years at Vincennes University. If Wilson ends up at Indiana State, he would be reunited with good friend Carl McQuay, the 2013 Indiana Mr. Track and Field.
"He's the one that pushed me, mainly," Wilson said of McQuay.
Griggs said Wilson has learned well from his friend.
"He approaches practice like he does a meet," Griggs said. "He works hard in practice and we set up different scenarios with wind, rain, cold, hot, where he has to practice like he would be at a meet. I think that's helped him, especially this year with the weather being so violent. He has a good heart and he's a competitor."
Wilson could be the foundation for the Bronchos' hopes of extending its sectional reign to 10 consecutive years. Wilson also is a member of the top-seeded 400 meter relay and is two inches behind top seed Patrick Brandenburg of Frankfort in the high jump.
"There's a lot of scenarios we've been going through and Tim's obviously a major part in that," Griggs said. "I think we've got the good fit for him and hopefully he's going to score 40 points for us.
"Nothing is guaranteed. They're called hurdles for a reason. That's one of the things that's kind of nerve-wracking as a coach, especially in the highs. Anything can happen. He's got to be on top of his game, make it through trials and then hopefully make it through finals and move on."
If Wilson does move on, he has several goals to accomplish before heading to Vincennes.
"I want to try to get first, break some records and make a name for myself," he said. "See my way to state and try to do my best there."
LAFAYETTE JEFF SECTIONAL
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Tickets: $6
Advancement: The top four places in all individual events and relays, plus any individual or relay meeting the participant standard.