O’Bannon High School sophomore Derion Dillard, the Planters Bank Player of the Week, had two completely different mindsets when he competed at the MHSAA 2A North State Track Meet last Thursday. at Potts Camp High Camp.
Dillard began the meet competing in the discus. Despite being one of the slenderest participates in the event, his throw of 127 feet and 10 inches won the competition by 10 feet.
“When I was throwing out there, I saw I was going up against guys much bigger then me. It was intimidating at first, but then my heart starts beating and I pump myself up and believe that I can win,” Dillard said.
After winning the discus at North State, Dillard then put his speedster shoes on and competed in a couple running events. Dillard finished in third place in the 110 meter hurdles and fourth place in the 300 meter hurdles.
Dillard is one of a number of Greenwave athletes hoping to win state championships at this weekend’s 2A State Championship in Pearl.
“We have a great chance. I expect Derion to win the district and maybe the 110 hurdles,” O’Bannon coach Charles Moore.
The Greenwave 4x800 relay team of Dwan McNeil, Mikeal Watson, Alfred O’Neil Jr and Perez Crutchfield also took home a district title.
