Derrius Rodgers was a self-described “football guy” in his sophomore year at Lockport. He had no interest in running track.
Then he got a visit from boys track coach Tom Razo.
“I actually remember like it was yesterday,” Rodgers said. “I was in the weight room during sophomore year. I remember Coach Razo coming in and talking to me. I really didn’t want to come out for track. I was a football guy.
“He’s like, ‘Come out and try it. If you like it, keep doing it.’ I ended coming out and beating the top guys in a race. I thought maybe I’ll give it a shot. It’s just history from there.”
Rodgers was a Class 3A state finalist last year in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. This year, the senior sprinter ranks among Illinois’ best in the 100, 200 and 400.
“Sophomore year was more of a learning experience, just to see what I could do,” Rodgers said. “Once junior year and the first meet outdoor hit, I started to realize it’s legit. It’s time to go. It’s time to roll.”
Rodgers won the 400 on Saturday in the Dick Beebe Track Classic at Homewood-Flossmoor. His time of 49.03 seconds is third-fastest in the state, according to DyeStat.
A week earlier, Rodgers clocked 10.69 in the 100 and 21.55 in the 200 at the Belleville West Invitational to rank among Illinois’ best in both.
The Illinois State track recruit is likely to focus on the 100 and 200 for the state meet, along with one or both of the sprint relays.
“This year, I’m trying to either win or place top three,” Rodgers said. “I have high expectations for the 100 and the 200.”
Rodgers was a defensive back on Lockport’s football team and will use a disappointing 4-5 record in his final season as motivation this spring.
“Take your anger out,” he said. “We missed the playoffs by one game. So it’s like I’m going to make sure I leave everything out on the track.”
Leaps and bounds: If not for Cahokia’s Jamari Ward, Hillcrest’s Luther Newburn would have the No. 1 triple jump in the state — again.
Newburn cleared 49-9 on Saturday at H-F to rank No. 2 behind Ward (50-11.5), the Missouri-bound multi state champion.
“After I saw the 49-9, I was so excited,” Newburn said. “This is the beginning of the outdoor season. Around state time, that’s the golden time.”
Last year, Newburn was Class 2A runner-up (47-10.5) behind Ward (50-6).
“My goal for the triple jump is 51 feet,” Newburn said.
Keeping track: Sandburg junior Ayo Abiona showed the field on Saturday at the Minooka Invitational that the Eagles have more than distance running strength. Abiona won the 100 (10.75) and 200 (21.81) and took second in the long jump (22-5.25) to Thornton’s Remi Simmons (22-7.75).
*Last fall, running back Darshon McCullough helped Marist reach the Class 8A state championship game and finish 9-5. Saturday, his victory in the triple jump (43-9.25) helped the RedHawks edge Rich Central 107-101 for the title of the Spartan Invitational at Oak Lawn.
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*The Chris Marszalek Invitational on Friday at Lockport will feature six girls teams from the Southland’s Top 10: Homewood-Flossmoor, Bloom, Lincoln-Way Central, the host Porters, Thornwood and Providence.
*Bloom’s Kierra Griggs won the 400 (55.68) and took second in the 100 at Saturday’s Midwest Prep Invitational in Indianapolis.
Tim Tierney is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.