Still not done: Braves track standout has sights set on more

0

Trentity Vaught says she has had a lot of fun and success competing in track and field at Brownstown Central, and she wants top off this spring with several more trophies and plaques.

The senior didn’t pick up a shot put or discus until her freshman year.

“I knew some people that were going to be on the track team, and I had wanted to (compete) since I was younger but I never had the time or had the chance so my freshman year it was a new school so I thought I might as well,” Vaught said.

Her throwing career took off from there.

Vaught was named the most valuable member of the team last season, and was a sectional champion and state qualifier in the discus.

She said her best discus throw has been 122-feet, 8-inches and her best shot put has been 35-9.

Vaught is in her second season as the Braves’ No. 1 thrower in both events.

“After my sophomore year, since I was going to be the oldest one returning, I made it kind of a point I wanted to go to the state meet and I wanted to break 100 feet in the discus and I managed to do both,” Vaught said. “Over the entire season I think I grew about 11 feet.

“This year I haven’t gone any further, but I’m starting to get more consistent. (The weather) has a lot to do with it. If it’s rainy and cold, your muscles are tense and you’re not warmed up.”

Whether it’s discus or shot, Vaught enjoys the competition.

“I like them both. When I first started I liked discus more, but now shot put is kind of growing on me,” Vaught said. “I’ve had more success in the shot than usual. I do the rotation, I do the spin in both.”

Vaught said having good technique in both events is important.

“I think it’s important that you bend your knees (in shot) so you have the power from your legs as well, not just your arms,” Vaught said. I try to look up to remember to stay high, look at the sky so it will go further. You want to keep your shoulders back. Coach (Jerry) Brown always talks about the ‘C,’ you want your back to be a C. In a C you’re pushing up instead of out.

“Discus is more like momentum. It’s more torque, twisting your body to create the momentum to make the discus fly. That has a lot to do with it. I’ve never really had a problem with the wind.”

For Vaught, it takes several practice throws to get properly warmed up for each meet.

“Practice is pretty important,” Vaught said. “I make it a point to try really hard in practice because ‘practice makes perfect,’ right? You start in steps. We start out in ‘halves’ to get your foot down, and then we do ‘south’ which is more the backside of the ring, and then you do a full to build up on the final.”

She has several goals for this spring as her career comes to a close.

“I’ve already reached one goal: I wanted to get 35 feet and I did,” Vaught said. “I want to get the school record pretty bad. It’s 138. I’ve had one throw over 130, but it was a foul at the state meet. I’m trying to get 135 because the coach from Ball State said once I get 135 I can get some scholarship money, so that’s exciting.

“I just want to keep improving and end on a good note. I want to enjoy the whole situation as much as I can. The mental part is definitely challenging because track is such a different sport that you can win individually and as a team.”

Vaught has enjoyed her time at Brownstown.

“I’ve enjoyed being a student here,” Vaught said. “It’s a good atmosphere. Everybody knows everybody. I’ve liked all my teachers. I never really had a problem with any teacher. All the girls are really great. There is healthy competition between all of us so we keep everybody motivated even between boys and girls. I think everyone is really supportive.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Vaught file” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Name: Trentity Vaught

School: Brownstown Central High School

Parents: Jana Sawyers, Trent Vaught

Sibling: Oakley, Czarina, Lois

Sports: track and field 4 years, volleyball 2 years, basketball 1 year

Athletic highlights: 2016 MVP, discus-state qualifier; 2015 most improved, sectional champion, regional runner up, MSC runner up

Organizations: science club, booster club, D.A.R.E. role model, science Olympiad

Plans after high school: attend Ball State University, major business and psychology

Favorite food: spaghetti

Favorite TV shows; Shameless, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul

Favorite musician: Frank Ocean

Favorite movie: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Favorite teams: Chicago Blackhawks, Ball State, Indiana University

[sc:pullout-text-end]

No posts to display