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Solon's A.J. Hicks Fought Disappointment to Make Historic Throw

A.J. Hicks hits the heights after an early low at state track and field championships

The moment A.J. Hicks had worked for his entire high school career had just vanished. One of the favorites to win the Division I state shot put title, Hicks had fouled on his first two throws and then failed to place in the event.

But there was one more moment to come. And it would provide Hicks and those assembled in Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium a memory for a lifetime.

After assuring himself of the state title in the discus, Hicks let loose with a throw that carried through the late spring sky in Columbus. After the discus had landed, he heard an official saying the number 200.

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As in 200 feet, seven inches. The third-best throw in the 104-year history of the meet and a new stadium record. What a difference three hours made.

"It was a roller coaster," said Solon head coach Dan Iwan. "A.J. was so disappointed after the shot put and not many kids could have come back and do what he did. That just shows you what type of a person he is."

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Hicks was pumped up for his attempts in the shot put. On his second toss, he clipped the top of the toe-board. With just one throw left, he was cautious and did not come up with a strong effort.

 "He was just too pumped up," said Iwan. "His goal was to always be a double state champ. The most painful thing for him was to watch the finals of the shot."

After the event, Hicks and his coach Jim Wallace went to a nearby McDonalds. One dream was gone but another was within reach.

"I had some time to sit and think," said Hicks. "Coach Wallace told me that I couldn't go back out there and throw (the shot put) again but that I still had an opportunity to make it a good day.

"I was feeling disappointment mixed with embarassment. I knew I should have at least got a second place in the shot."

On his second throw in the discus, Hicks hit 187-06. That distance stood up and the Comet senior knew he had won the event before stepping up for his final toss. The throw that would better his own school record by 20 feet and put him over 15 feet ahead of runner-up Michael Bennett of Centerville, the top seed in the event.

"I knew it made 190 for sure," said Hicks. "I was more concerned about winning it than setting a record. I wasn't really considered to win the discus."

Former Solon track and field standout Chadd Pierce, currently a decathlon competitor at North Carolina, passed the news along to the Tarheel coach via cellphone. Hicks will attend Chapel Hill this fall on a track and field scholarship.

"A.J. spent two years chasing 190 feet and then he just skipped it altogether," laughed Iwan. "He's worked so hard at it. His work ethic is unbelievable."

"In one day I went from my lowest point ever to my highest point ever," said the muscular Hicks, who was also a tight end and linebacker for the Comet football team.

Hicks will compete in Saturday's Midwest Meet of Champions to be held in Fort Wayne, IN. The meet gathers the top seniors from Ohio, Michigan and Indiana and the Buckeye boys will be defending their team title.

One Ohio team member won't be concerned if things don't get off on the right foot. As A.J. Hicks knows, it's not where you start, it's where you finish. 

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