Last year, Will Owens traded in his baseball glove for track spikes, and he hasn’t looked back.
The Jupiter track and field athlete culminated his senior year with a third-place finish in the 100 and a fourth in the 200 at the Class 4A state championships at the University of North Florida Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville.
His times were just off the personal bests and school records he set in winning the regionals 10 days before — 100 (10.51) and 200 (21.22). He also ran a 50.19 in the 400 but didn’t run that race at state. He also was a member of the 4×100 relay team (42.65).
Owens, who is committed to UNF, didn’t make it past the regional meet last year.
“It started last year when I fell short of regionals and I worked really hard for eight months starting in September,” said Owens, a two-year captain and team MVP. “I really worked hard the whole year with my coaches (Nate Robinson and Larry Jones) and did everything I could from running in the hot sun to lifting weights. They gave me the best workouts possible.”
“I think coming up short last year was due to my lack of experience,” said Owens, who only started competing in track last year.
“It was also partly technique, so when I got back to regionals this year, I was ready, and it carried me through,” he explained. “I was motivated more than ever. I always wanted to run track, but baseball and track are during the same season. It was the best decision I ever made. I hope I built a foundation for the younger athletes on the team so they can make it to states.”
Owens showed huge progress, according to Jupiter track coach Larry Jones. He improved by a full second in the 100 and more than a half second in the 200.
“Will had a pretty successful season last year as a first-year track athlete but came up just short,” Jones said. “Will went to the state meet last year as a spectator but vowed he’d be back this year as a competitor and boy did he. Will was the glue of the team not only with his physical prowess and leadership but also with his unspoken work ethic.”
