Sometimes, even the best athletes need a push. Waterville Senior High School’s Trever Gray got his push at the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference indoor track and field championship meet. The defending conference champion in the shot put, Gray placed second to Maine Central Institute’s Curtis McLeod at the KVAC meet.
Gray didn’t need much motivation to get ready for the Class B state championship meet, but that second place finish was a spark. Gray threw 52 feet, 2.25 inches to win his second straight state shot put title, and with his outdoor crown last spring, his third state championship in the event.
2016 Morning Sentinel/Kennebec Journal Boys Indoor Track All Stars
55: Jesse Donisvitch, Sr., Messalonskee
200: Jesse Donisvitch, Sr., Messalonskee
400: Ethan Dodge, Sr., Erskine
800: Carson Bessey, Sr., Messalonskee
1 mile: Owen Concaugh, Jr., Messalonskee
2 mile: Zach Hoyle, Jr., Messalonskee
55 hurdles: Tanner Burton, Jr., Messalonskee
4×200 relay: Messalonskee (Jesse Donisvitch, Dylan Labrun, Alec Currie, Tanner Burton)
4×800 relay: Messalonskee (Zach Hoyle, Natale Cardillo, Carson Bessey, Owen Concaugh)
High jump: Jon Whitcomb, Jr., Gardiner-Hall-Dale
Pole vault: Ray Weymouth, Sr., Erskine
Long jump: Nate Pratt-Holt, Sr., Mt. Blue
Triple jump: Nate Pratt-Holt, Sr., Mt. Blue
Shot put: Trever Gray, Sr., Waterville
“Overall, it was a good season,” Gray said.
After winning his third shot put state championship, Trever Gray is the Morning Sentinel Boys Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
Being pushed by McLeod and other talented throwers was a good thing, Gray said.
“It pushed me mentally. If I go into a meet and the second thrower is a 40 foot thrower, my head’s not in it as much,” Gray said.
Gray leads a strong group of athletes currently competing in Maine high school throwing events. At the New England indoor championship in Boston in late February, Gray placed second in the shot put with a 54-6.25 throw. He was joined in the top five by Brewer’s Austin Lufkin (fourth) and McLeod (fifth).
“Maine boys throwers are in a similair spot to girls distance runners a few years ago. There’s just so many talented ones,” Waterville track and field coach Rob Stanton said. “There’s no substitute for good competition. Knowing you’re always looking over your shoulder forces you to stay focused. That translates to day-to-day workouts as well.”
“Me and Curtis are good friends off the track. He had a great throw at KVACs,” Gray said.
Gray knew he’d have to be at his best to beat McLeod at the state meet to repeat as champion. Gray’s winning throw of 52-7.75 came on his fourth throw of the finals.
“I felt really good going into states. I knew I was capable of big throws. Me and (McLeod) just went back and forth,” Gray said.
A key to Gray’s continued improvement this winter was working on his spin, an important component in the physics of the shot put.
“I’m finally getting my spin down. I’ve been able to control my speed and add it to my spin,” Gray said.
Added Stanton: “He’s just become much more consistent, and that was reflected in his results.”
Gray enters the outdoor season as the defending Class B champion in the shot put and discus. Gray’s goal in the shot put this season is 60 feet, which would break the long-standing Class B state record of 59-1.75, set by Jim Dawson of Lawrence at the state meet in 1979. Gray came close to 60 feet at the New England championships, throwing 59 feet on his final try, although the throw wasn’t counted when Gray fouled on the attempt.
“I’m shooting for 60 (feet). I think I can get that. I think the state record is really achievable,” Gray said.
Last fall, Gray committed to the University of Connecticut, with plans to join the Huskies track and field team. Recently, Gray had a change of heart, and decided to attend Mount St. Vincent University in New York, where he’ll study Business Administration. Gray said he’ll take at least one year off from track and field while he adjusts to college.
“It was a difficult decision to make but I think it’s the right choice,” Gray said. “Some people may not agree with my decision to pass up on a (Divsion I) program but I think it’s in my best interest.”
For now, Gray is getting ready to defend his two state titles this spring.
“I know he’s got 60 feet in his sights. I think he goes into the season knowing he can compete with just about anybody,” Stanton said.
Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242
<URL destination=””>tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com
</URL>Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM
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