The boys track season is in full swing, meaning that athletes across all grade levels and events are competing towards the common goals of improving and winning. One senior athlete, varsity shot putter Connor Wane, is making the most of the spring competitions as he looks to leave a mark on the statewide scene while preparing himself for his freshman football season at Wayne State College. The dual sport athlete is a two time state champion in football, starting in over 25 games for the team and achieving All-Metro honors at right tackle on the offensive line.
In track, Wane took home the JV Metro shot put championship, and continues to push his limits as one of the top throwers on this year’s team. However he doesn’t only thrive in athletics, boasting academic feats such as scoring a 33 on the ACT and qualifying for the DECA International Career Development Conference as both a junior and senior. Wane attributes his versatile success to the mindset he carried throughout his student-athlete career thus far.
“I think having the ability to put in work and give consistent effort has been my biggest driving force in my high school life,” Wane explained. “I’m looking to carry that mindset of just getting better everyday onto college and whatever I choose to do after that.”
As it stands today, Wane is the number one thrower on the track and field team, boasting an astounding personal record of over 49 feet. This is a stark contrast to his marks from the previous season, where he spent the year correcting and adapting his form and climbing in numbers from throws in the 30 range to where he is today: nearly cracking the 50 foot gold standard. His improvement under head shot put coach Zachary Maloley has been a long and tedious journey, yet a commitment that the thrower took on head first.
“It was definitely frustrating when I started throwing,” Wane recalled. “I knew how strong I was and that was just a matter of time before I got the form down, but it still was a tough challenge nonetheless.”
Despite the hardships, Wane was no stranger to challenges, and his illustrious work ethic is what allowed him to overcome the struggle and blossom into the talent he is today. This growth and ability to adapt aligns well with his career as a football player. During his eighth grade COVID season, he was unable to compete due to regulations in place since he attended a different middle school. For most, the inability to play in games coupled with the pandemic circumstances would be enough to sideline their efforts for just a season, and sit out until high school, however, for Connor Wane, he clocked in to each and every practice, valuing the improvement of his game and the betterment of the team over his own comfort. These grand displays of dedication are the defining element of Wane’s career. The senior has fought through injury, misfortune, and constant setbacks at every step of his journey and persevered to lead the legacy he led, one of a champion and an absolute competitor.
Wane has already competed in one meet this season, placing amongst the top 10 as he continues to elevate his mental and physical game. This spring will be his final season as a track and field athlete before he makes the trip to Wayne, Nebraska and begins the next phase of his career as a collegiate football player. Regardless of any circumstance that will come about from the jump to college athletics, the blueprint and precedent that Wane has set for himself thus far in his life is the perfect indicator that he’s the caliber of student, athlete, and person built to handle it.
“I’m excited to go play college football, and I just hope my guys hold it down here and remember me fondly,” Wane said.
